ACCIDENT TO MAIL TRAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 65, 25 June 1910, Page 5

ACCIDENT TO MAIL TRAIN.

TRAIN runs off the metals.

LUCKY ESCAPE OF PASSENGERS.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Levin, List Night. The New Plymouth mail train which leaves Wellington at 7.45 a.m. ran off the metals to the south of Koputaroa station this morning. The express had a full complement of passengers, and passed through Levin all well at 10.2, but entering the Ivoputara station it fouled the lines.

Telegraphic messages were transmitted to Levin and Shannon, and relays of men were at once despatched. The derailed carriages were removed to the siding. The cause of the accident was apparently a defect in the rails.

A temporary line is being made to connect with the main system, so that goods and passenger trains will not be delayed. That portion of the train which was sent back to Levin resumed its journey shortly before 1 o'clock. The fact that all the passengers escaped serious injury is due principally to the fact that the engine was slowing up preparatory to taking in water from the tank at Koputaroa. A length of rails and sleepers was completely iburied in the ground. Carriages were twisted and broken badly, and the engine also was-consider-ably. damaged. ,

The train arrived at New Plymouth at 12.5 this morning.