ACCIDENT TO GOODS TRAIN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8881, 5 August 1907, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO GOODS TRAIN.

A Guard Killed. And Others Injured. Per Press Association. Eotoiiua, August 4. A serious accident occurred between eight and nine o’clock on Saturday night to a goods train hound from Auckland to Rotorua.

The train, which was a long one with two engines and a large number of trucks aud passengers’ carriage, was ascending a steop grade and when three miles on the Rotorua side of Putaruru, all the trucks carriage and guards’ vans became detached from the engine and went down hill at a terrific pace, till reaching a culvert, when they went over an embankment into a gully forty feet below. J. Lowe, a guard, was killed. He never became conscious, and died threequarters of an hour after, the accident James Dwyer, another guard, sustained a broken arm and other injuries. Tyer, an assistant guard, sustained a broken arm and other injuries. Kingdon, a platelayer, was injured internally and also received concussion of the brain. Dwyer resides at Mt. Eden, Tyer at Auckland, and Kingdon at Putaruru. There were four passengers, but none were injured, although the carriage wont over an embankment.

Ouq of tho engines brought the injured men here arriving at four o’clock this morning. They were taken to the Sanatorium and attended to by Doctor Bssolberger of Matamata. One of the passengers rendered valuable aid to the injured. Lowe was a favourite guard and was greatly respected. Several trucks contp.ined cattle and many were injured. The accident happened at a place known as Bell’s siding where a new lino has been constructed.

No particulars are available as to tin cause of the accident.

The engines wore driven by Messrs Naylor and Cooper. The train was duo at Rotorua at eight o’clock and was running late. All the trucks, carriage, and guard’s vans were greatly damaged. August 5. Information received at the Auckland railway office with regard to the Rotorua train accident is to the effect that when the train started to move back the Westiughouse brake, which should have held it, came off and the train quickly gathered speed, rushing down a hill for about eight miles. The train, consisted of two guards’ vans, passenger car and about 28 waggons. All the vehicles which left the rails were very much smashed and shattered by the fall oyer the side. The track was broken at the scene of the accident, but a special train left Auckland yesterday at two a.m, for the place. Mr Waite, traffic manager, was on board. At Fraukton the train picked up an inspector and a largo gang of men. Last night word camo that the line; was clear again and that ordinary traffic would he resumed to-day. The guard Lowe was 83 years of age and had been IGiyears in the Railway Department’s employ. He had boon stationed at Rotorua for the last two and a half years.