TRAIN DERAILED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 1

TRAIN DERAILED

TRUCKS FALL DOWN STEEP FILLING PASSENGERS TRANSHIPPED Press Association WELLINGTON, Wednesday. A north-bound goods train, with one passenger car attached, running from Masterton to VVoodville, was derailed about two miles south of Eketahuna at mid-day. The passengers escaped unhurt. Apparently the first truck jumped the rails on a straight portion of the line and ran along for nearly half a mile off the rails. Then three or four other trucks were derailed, but they all safely passed over a small bridge, although the wheel marks show within an inch or two of the edge of the sleepers. After crossing the bridge the couplings broke, and three trucks were precipitated down a steep filling, while two horse trucks were telescoped. These contained a team of horses, including King Midas, owned by Mr. Elgar, of Featherston, which was en route to the Wanganui races. Another truck covered 100 yards before he engine was stopped. The horses were released, and it was found that King Midas was not seriously injured. The line was clear again at about 7.20 p.m. It was necessary to tranship the passengers, also those on the north and south-bound mail trains, and those on the afternoon goods train. The cause of the mishap has not been determined, but it is believed that a wagon jumped the rails. The derailment caused a delay of about four hours to both the mail trains.