Army praised for train help

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 272, 31 January 1989, Page 5

Army praised for train help

Army emergency services have been widely praised for their efforts in reacting to the Tangiwai rail crossing/Silver Fern crash. As well as a fire en-

gine, three water tankers, an ambulance and buses for passengers, army personnel provided comfort to the passengers of the train who were suffering from shock. None of the 84 passengers

were seriously injured in the crash. The passengers were taken to the Waiouru camp for cups of tea and food after the accident. Another five appliances from around the northern Wanganui

area attended the incident. The accident happened shortly after 2pm on Tuesday last week, when the southbound Silver Fern struck the trailer of a stock truck at the

crossing, causing the train to derail. The truck was also southbound. The driver of the truck is to face charges related to the incident. He will appear in the Taihape District Court on February 20. The Bulletin was told yesterday that information on the charges the driver would face are not available to the public as yet. The crossing lights and bells were working at the time, according to police. Turnpage 6

Army praise

From page 5 A witness at the crash said the trailer unit of the truck, which was separated from its tray was "smeared over the front of the railcar." Despite this the front windows of the car were shattered but not broken apart. An Ohakune volunteer fireman who attended the accident said the driver of the train had time to get out of his seat and move to the passenger compartment before the impact, saving himself from serious injury.