BALCLUTHA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4058, 31 December 1881, Page 2

BALCLUTHA.

This day. Further Particulars of the Railway Accident. As (he 440 train from Balelutha to Clinton reached. Kaikihu Bridge, a horse was seen on the line, bat too late to atop the train. The horse was caught by the cow-catcher and carried some ten yards, when the engine ran off the line and down the embankment ten feet deep The driver at once shut off the steam and ran off the water. The train consisted of 15 trucks and van. The engine and tender and seven trucks ran off, the tender lying I on its side and across the end of the engine ; some trucks being on each aide of the line. The stoker, Jas. Wood Cock, was found lying under the tender, and death must have been instantaneousJas. Black wood, water pumper at Wai' wera, was caught by the foot between the engine and the tender, and every exertion was made to release him, but the task had not been accomplished until late, when the reporter left. No one else was hurt. The rails of the line are considerably twisted and damaged, and the engine is also much damaged, but the trucks are apparently not much injured. The accident happened at 5.30 p.m. There were only three passengers by the train, and they escaped without injury. Mr Chis* holm, Inspector of Permanent Railways, arrived at 8.45 p.m. and proceeded to clear the line.

Lateb. The Railway Accident, The line was cleared and ready for traffic at four o'clock this morning. The damage to the line and rolling stock is comparatively trifling. James Blackwood has had bis leg broken. An inquest on the body of Woodcock was opened to-day, and after viewing the body, was adjourned till Tuesday.