RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 556, 12 February 1878, Page 2

RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

(By Cable.) : Sydney. February 11 The Sydney Herald gives the followng particulars of the railway accident at Enu Plains, by which three men were Idled and two seriously injured. It was earned by a collision between two heavily-loaced goods trains, one having left Penritl at 11 p.m., and a special goods train proceeding to Penrith from the Cruslirs. Where the accident occurred there i a very steep incline, and trains get up stiam as much as possible to run up it, wule those proceeding down it have unuiual impetus of their own. Hence it is supposed that when the trains met they tere going at a rate of nearly 40 miles an bur. Stevenson, driver of the ordinary fcain, who is one of the survivors, but rmch injured, says that just before the acoflent he was astonished at seeing a light aconsiderable distance ahead, and called attention of the stoker to it, and immediately after they were horrified with the cmviction that it was a train literally rushing down the incline, which it was impossible to escape encountering. Death Aared jfcheni in the face, and there was nojdternative but face it as best they could To jump off was certain the train was -passing along a high er*>ankment. They put on the break and made the engine give its wildest nriek. Stevenson, the driver, clutched -. le rail prepared for instant death, and lid to ths stoker Wiggins, "Goodbye, rack."| i That was all'he remembered. He Iliad a most miraculous escape, Wiggiis was killed instantaneously. At the copner s inquest it appeared that the speciaitraln, with the driver Perdue and two>thers, left Paseoe station for Penrith ilthout the knowledge of any one at P&ritli, under the impression that t.ii.ey m\oula artive at Penrith before the oiSinary goofo train left. A verdict of ;jr.an ? slaughter was returned against Perdue. Three valued at L4OOO each, and 14 truck! were smashed by the collision c-r destroyed by the subsequent fire, which .continued Burning on the following clay.