DERAILMENT ON MAIN TRUNK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 302, 13 March 1928, Page 1

DERAILMENT ON MAIN TRUNK

TRACK TORN UP

Passengers’ Narrow Escape

STARTLING ACCIDENT TO MIXED TRAIN A BROKEN axle on a mixed passenger and goods train running between Poro-o-tarao and Mangapeehi (Ohakune district) caused a serious derailment on the Main Trunk line at 9.40 this morning, the passengers having a miraculous escape from being hurled to a depth of 150 feet. (.From Our Resident Correspondent.') TE KUITI, To-day.

I train, which left Taumarunui j ‘ at 7.45, was a mile south of Man- | gapeehi when the mishap occurred, the ! whole four passenger cars and eight ! trucks coming off the line, and the engine and van alone remaining on the rails. The derailment, which was caused through the breaking of an axle on one of the trucks, tore up the track for a distance of about six chains, and scattered the wagons over the immediate vicinity. A remarkable feature of the accident, and the most fortunate from the viewpoint of the passengers, was that the carriages were thrown on to the bank side of the line, while four of the trucks were tossed off on the other side and sent hurtling over a bank for about 150 feet, splintering to matchwood as they went. The pro-

duce and goods which, they carried were sent flying over the countryside. None of the passengers was injured, and the engine crew and guard also escaped without hurt. The track is badly damaged, and it will require the best efforts of all the available relief gangs to have it in readiness for the passage of the South expresses this evening. The department officials were of opinion this morning that this could not be accom plished. Emergency services are being run from Te Kuiti to Frankton on this side of the derailment, and corresponding services on the south side.

Most of the cars and wagons are badly damaged.

One passenger suffered cuts through being thrown through a window. Passengers in the first carriage had to climb through the windows.