ACCIDENT TO A TRAIN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7950, 27 January 1906, Page 5

ACCIDENT TO A TRAIN.

ENGINE GETS OFF THE LINE. WANGANUI, January 26. A serious accident, fortunately unattended with loss of life or limb, occurred to an excuruion train returning to Wanganui from the Hawera Band Contest last night' The train left Hawera with 60 excur eionists at 10.45, reaching Momohaka at 12.20 a.m. As the train slowed down approaching the platform, the passengers experienced a heavy jolt, and on the train being pulled up it was found that the engine was of? the line, and three leading cars were also derailed, the rails being bent and "spread" very badly. * The occunants of thp leading car bad a narrow escape, and but. for the driver's prompt action in applying the Westinghouse brake, the result would have been serious. Two people, who were sitting on the platform were pitched off the oar to the side of the track, while a lad sitting in a corner next the door bad his leg grazed by the sharp end of a point-rail which had pierced through the floor and seat of the car. The other occupants escaped with nothing worse than a fright. The accident was probably due to the car following the engine "jumping" the points, and running on the side track. The engine was badly damaged, including a pair of wheels and axles wrenched off, whioh were subsequently found under the middle of the leading car. The gravel and ballasting were ploughed up for a distanoe of 40 yards. . A relief train and a gang of me-i were sent from Wanganui, and arrived at 5 b'cluck, the passengers eventually reaching here at G. 20.