LOCAL RESIDENT INJURED IN TRAIN MISHAP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3922, 23 March 1929, Page 3

LOCAL RESIDENT INJURED IN TRAIN MISHAP.

BROKEN TYRE DERAILS CARRIAGES. COACHES RUN ON TO BEACH. As the Palmerston North-Wel-ling ton mail train was approaching Pukerua Bay about 6.10 o’clock last night, four carriages and the guard’s-van were derailed owing to ithe breaking of a tyre on the rear wheel of one of the carriages. The engine and postal-van remained on the rails. The passengers fortunately escaped with minor bruises and a severe shaking, but (two ladies and a male passenger from Foxton (vere injured. They were: Mrs. S. WALLIS, severely, bruised rib and abrasions; aged 67. MARGARET WALLIS, incised cut on hand; aged 3s. Mr. P. S. WALLIS,, severe cut on ankle; aged 30. Mr and Mrs P. Wallis have been residing in Thynne Street for some time, and left yesterday afternoon, .with Mrs Wallis senr., for Paramata, Where they are to take up iheir residenc*. Another passenger from Foxton was Miss E. Hawlison, of Dunedin, a cousin of Mrs Wm. Trueman, who was returning to her home after spending an extended holiday locally. Fortunately, she was not injured, being in the carriage which was only partly turned over, but nevertheless the southern visitor will have cause to remember her return trip to Dunedin from. Foxton. Owing to the accident Miss Howlison missed the ferry boat, and was compelled to remain overnight in Wellington.

Mrs Wallis senr., and Mr and Mrs Wlallis junr. were able to proceed to Paramata after receiving attention, but all parties are considerably shaken. The cause of the accident was a tyre on a rear wheel of one of the carnages breaking. The guard states that the passenger car with the damaged wheel was the second in front of the guard’s van, and it and the ears on either side and the van were pulled off. The derailed section rau 40 feet down the slope to the beach, •the guard’s van becoming detached . and turning upside down.

The train came to a standstill with some of the derailed carriages on their sides, and the last one resting on the beach below. There was a surprising absence of panic, and only a few doors had to be forced to release the passengers, who took the mishap in a marry spirit, lit bonfires on the beach, and turned the whole affair into a jolly picnic. Olfilcials state that the train was running to time, and at the usual speed. It was carrying 30 passengers.