TRAIN DERAILED IN MANAWATU GORGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3660, 2 July 1927, Page 2

TRAIN DERAILED IN MANAWATU GORGE.

ENGINE STRIKES SLIP,

The evening train from Napier which/ usually roaches Palmerston North in the vicinity of 9.30 pan. ran into a slip in the Afanawatu Tlorge last night, which had come down between the two long funnels sear the Ashhurst end.

It appears that the slip smashed one of the rails, with the result that when the engine struck the earth it was thrown off the line, while two trucks were also derailed.

There was a north-bound goods train waiting at Ashhurst to pass the one that was derailed, and the services of the goods train were requisitioned to bring the passengers on to Palmerston North.

The relief train pulled into Palmerston North at 11.53 p.m. It consisted of an engine and a guard’s van, the latter vehicle being tilted with passengers and luggage. The .passengers, numbering about fifteen, were of both sexes, including one or two young children. The engine, with the exception of one set of bogey wheels, was completely derailed as a result of the impact, while two trucks were also on the line.

Relief gangs were put on to clear (lie slip and replace the engine, on the rails.

It is anticipated that the line will he celared this afternoon.