MAIN TRUNK SMASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 964, 6 May 1930, Page 1

MAIN TRUNK SMASH

EXPRESS HITS GOODS TRAIN AT MERCER THROUGH TRAFFIC DELAYED While moving slowly into Mercer at dawn this morning the first night express from Wellington to Auckland struck a goods train, derailing a car and four wagons. The accident blocked the line, causing considerable delay, and the passengers for Auckland were transported on a train from Mercer. No one was injured, few of the passengers in the express being aware that a collision had taken place. Apparently the accident was caused by the fact that the goods train was running late. Proceeding north, and scheduled to arrive at Mercer at 3.30 a.m., it was two hours behind time.

The through express left Wellington at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon with 130 passengers. It was due at Auckland at 6.41 a.m. today, and arrived on time at Mercer at 5.40 o’clock.

There was a heavy fog, which made visibility extremely poor, and the express was moving slowly toward the station. Warning signals had been placed on the line.

The accident occurred in a small cutting near the entrance to the short tunnel on the South side of Mercer. The engine of the express struck the rear of the goods train, derailing the guard’s van and four wagons. The fact that both trains were moving slowly and in the same direction prevented the collision from having more serious consequences.

Beyond the buckling of couplings, no damage was done to the passenger express and few, if any, people were disturbed. CLEARING THE LINE

Because the collision took place in the cutting, great difficulty was experienced in clearing the line. A gang was dispatched from Mercer and a clearance was effected at 9.30 a.m., which means that the remaining trains today will run on time. The passengers on the express were transferred to the ordinary passenger train leaving Mercer for Auckland at 6.37 a.m. This train left on time, arriving at 8.47 a.m. The passengers’ luggage was loaded on the Limited express from Wellington, which left Mercer at 9.43 a.m. and arrived in Auckland at 11 o’clock. It was delayed at the scene of the smash for an hour and a-quarter. The 7.53 a.m. Daylight Limited from Auckland was also delayed. After the line had been cleared the goods train and express were sidetracked temporarily at Mercer.