TRAIN WRECK.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 7 July 1920, Page 2

TRAIN WRECK.

PRINCE UNHURT AND cheerful. Sydney, July 6. A telegram from Bridgetown, West Australia, states that two cars of the Prince of Wales’ train capsized, owing to the rails spreading. No one wan hurt. An account of the accident to the Prince’s train, by Arthur Arams, states that the scene of the mishap is a solitude ot bush, miics from anywhere. The first thing the passenger* in the forward cars knew of the accident was the sudden stoppage. Hooking back they saw two of the rear cars lying on their sides, with the preceding car off the line. For a hundred yards the track was twisted in an extraordinary manner, showing that the Royal car had bumped for a long distance over the sleeper*. There were no signs of the occupants of the Royal car, but from the preceding car a faint blue smoke rose through the broken windows as it lay on its side. The fire was soon doomed by orderlies, who climber on the side of the car and poured water down. When the accident happened Lord Mountbatten jumped from the still moving train and sprinted back to the

Royal car, now being dragged along oa its side. He shouted, and heard a cheerful voice inside, so he knew they were all right. The Prince’s valet also raced up and lowered himself through the carriage window. He | found the Prince and Admiral Halsey calmly collecting their gear. Lord Mountbatten asked the Prince, “Are you hurt?” and the Prince laughingly replied, “No, make no blessed fuss about me. Are the rest O.K.J” When he was assured that no one cm seriously hurt, he said, “Then I'll collect my gear.” He was chiofiy concerned about a favourite pipe which wa* lost among his smashed belonging;, but he managed to find it. Commander Newport, the Prince’s physician, received a nasty gash os the leg. General Hobbs, and the Premier, Mr J. Mitchell, were among-t those in the derailed ear;. Mr Mitchell, who was asleep, was shot through & window nnhart, and remarked. “Anyway, I’r a on land.”

Lord Claude ilamiltoo ricked hi. back, but not seriously. Mr George, Minister of Works, was imprisoned in a lavatory, and his voice was heard vigorously protesting against things in general. IJtrltiraafely he was located and reaeued, suffering from a cat on the face and shock.