SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 118, 28 January 1926, Page 5

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT.

cj IN MAN G ATAPU BUSH. “ Loco’s ” Dash Down Gradient. A sensational accident which had all the elements of a more serious disaster, occurred on the tram-line on Friday last. It appears that shortly . after a smail engine, commonly known as the “ loco,” had left the bush for the camp, it became unmanagable owing to the greasy state of the rails during Friday’s thunderstorm. The engine was carrying from 12 to 14 men at the time, all of whom managed to jump clear at different stages of the runaways career. Most of the men escaped with bruises and cuts caused by their fail after jumping, but Messrs. Olsen (bush boss), Andy Anderson and Toby Peina were not so fortunate. All three received more or less severe injuries, which necessitated medical attention. Olsen received injuries to a wrist and leg, Anderson to his head and Peina was crushed on the chest through hitting a stump. Luckily owing to the wet weather, no navvies were at work on Friday, else a serious disaster might have occurred. The grade where the engine dashed out of all control is a steep one, being about one in fourteen, and the engine, on coming to a sharp curve at the foot, leaped clear from the rails for a considerable distance and fell on its side. No damage was -done to the permanent way, and all the injured men are progressing satisfactorily.