Three Persons Killed.—A Number Wounded. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1281, 14 September 1880, Page 3

Three Persons Killed.—A Number Wounded. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

[press association.] Wellington, Saturday. Information was received in town today, shortly before noon, of a most dreadful railway accident on the Welling-ton-Greytown line. The train left Greytown for Wellington at 8.30 this morning, and reached Cross Creole without mishap. Here one of the Fell engines was put on to pnsh the train up the incline. All went well until reaching a point about half way up the incline named Siberia, when it was found there was a strong N.W- gale blowing, accompanied by terrific gusts. The two passenger carriages, which are said to have been full of passengers and luggage, and the van, were blown off the line and hurled over a precipice 70 feet deep. The carriages fell with a fearful crash. The couplings gave way and liberated the falling train, or the engine and brakevan must have followed down the embankment. The engine driver and stoker rendered what assistauce they could to the unfortunate passengers, while the guard returned to Cross Creek to obtain assistance. From Cross Creek a telegram was sent to Wellington, informing the station-master of tne mishap, whereupon the excitement became intense. It was known that the Saturday trains were generally crowded. The telegrams at first were very meagre, only recording the accident, and that several persons had been injured The Minister of Public "Works immediately telegraphed for full particulars. It was not for some two or three hours after that any reliable information came to hand as to the nature of the injuries received by the passengers. A second telegram brought the sad news that Misses Pnarazyn and Master Nicholls, of Featherstone and Mr Quinn, of Greytown, had been killed. Prior to this, Mr Ashforth, stationmaster, with commendable promptitude, made arrangements for a special train to proceed to the scene of the disaster. The special left Wellington at noon, taking Drs. Gillon, Diver Tripe, and Kersteven. A large number of passengers are severely injured. The names, as yet ascertained, are Messrs. Jackson, W. McKenzie, (dislocation of shoulder), James Gooch (severe scalp wound and injured leg), Catherine Phillips, Megdamas Turn dull and Rye, Messrs. P. Hickson and Madden. Miss Pharazyn and Master Nicholls have severe scalp wounds, and other injuries. The .xpecial will arrive with the wounded to-night, when full particulars as to the sad occurrence will be obtained.