FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT

New Zealand Tablet, 4 June 1914, Page 31

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT

A train smash occurred at Whangamarino, a flagstation seven miles on the Auckland side of Mercer, at 4.40 on the morning of Wednesday of last week, when the Main Trunk express train from Wellington to Auckland crashed into the 12.50 a.m. goods train from Auckland to Frankton, cutting the latter in two. It is customary for the trains to cross at Te Kauwhata (late Waerenga) at 4.45 a.m., but, owing to the goods train running late and the express being well up to time, the latter was signalled; ‘Steam on to Whangamarino station.’ So far as can be gathered, just as the t goods train was turning to the siding, and before anyone knew what had happened, there was a terrific impact, a sound of splintering wood, and the engine of the" express shot off the line and toppled over on to its side, while the postal van, which was situated next the engine, was forced back with such impetus that it telescoped the sleeping-car xxext to it. Eleven passengers occupied the sleeping-car, two of whom were killed' and two others seriously injured, while the remainder escaped with more or less minor injuries. Another passenger, Mr. George N. Grimstone, died soon after his removal to the Hamilton Hospital. Those who lost their lives were : Mr. Ox-ton Stevens (of Wellington), manager in New Zealand for the National Mutual Life Association, of Australasia. Died before being released. Mr. Cuthbert F. Peterson (of Melbourne), representing the James McKenzie Propry. (Ltd.), died soon after being released from the wreckage. Mr. George N. Grimstone (lately of Wellington), recently transferred to Auckland to the position of Registrar of Tokerau Native Land* Court, who was severely injured internally, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital at Hamilton.