ALARMING RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Wellington, January 19

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 238, 21 January 1888, Page 1

ALARMING RAILWAY ACCIDENT. Wellington, January 19

The Wairarapa train from town was blown clean off the rails at Pigeon Bush this forenoon. The passenger carriages and goods tracks were completely wrecked. Tho engine has arrived in Featherston with two persons, who are injured very slightly. The engine is continually run. ning to and fro with passengers and luggage. Reporters are curtly informed by the railway officials that they cannot pro. ceed to the scene of the accident. Nothing but a miracle could have saved the passengers, as some of the trucks are reported as being completely smashed. The Press Association gives the following account of the accident : — " The train which left here early this morning fo r Masterton, when half-a-mile on the Feather, ston side of Pigeon Bush, was Uowif over. Fortunately, the line there is level, and none of the passengers were seriously hurt. AU the train with, the exception* of the engine was "Blown off the rails, bnfc the passengers have reached Featherston on the engine. A special train will be despatched from here to the scene of tha accident. The train consisted of two long carriage* and a break van, 4 loaded trucks, and one engine oi the S. Class. v The engine and van- remained' on' the rails. There were twelve passengers, and, only only one passenger was injured, having received a slight cut on the head. Two of the trucks had five tons of flour each. The other two had four tons of merchandise each. - - The train from Masterton to Wellington crossed the spot safely, but. a heavy gala was blowing.