THE RAILWAY SMASH.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3518, 3 July 1920, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SMASH.

o FROST INTERFERED WITH SIGNAL. WIRE CONTACTS. TABLET PORTER’S STATEMENT. Lat'er details to hand in connection with the railway smash that startled the countryside in the vicinity of Ohinewai flag station in the early hours of Thursday morning, through the loud report that accompanied the crash of the two engines, includes a statement by one of the tablet porters that was on dhty at the station, attributing the incident to an accident in the signalling gear. This officer stated to a Star reporter that the frost interfered with the wire between the station and the home signal, with the result that it contracted and instead of showing the danger signal to the meat special, which was outside the home signal, showed a right away. The result was that the big engine, about 70 tons weight, with its heavy load of meat, went ahead and met with great impact another big, weighty engine at the head of No. 223 which was at a Standstill on the main line, the engine being well up against the points, this having been necessary to allow No. 234 to pass on its northern journey via the loop line. An officer of the department also made a statement respecting the position of No. 223 at the time of the accident. He said that the driver of that engine was justified in having his engine where it was when the crash came, the rule of the road stipulating that the engine shall not he beyond the home signal. Consequently., although the engine was close to the points no breach of the rule was committed, the home signal being several yards further on than the points.