THE TRAIN SMASH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 198, 4 June 1934, Page 6

THE TRAIN SMASH.

THEORIES AS TO CAUSE.

SPECIALISTS TO HOLDi INQUIRY. SIGNALS AND VISIBILITY. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Specialists from the head office of the Railway Department will arrive at Christehureh to-morrow to hold an inquiry into the smash at Sockburn. A representative of the men will sit with them. The findings of the inquiry will be delivered to the general manager (Ma- Mackley). Several causes could haTe been responsible for the accident. Failure of the signal system has been suggested, and tests haTe been carried out by experts to decide this point. ETidence on the tests will be given to-morrow. An alternative explanation is that the driver of the Little RiTer train failed to see the automatic signal, if it was against him. Both driver and fireman stated after the accident that the signals gave them a clear road. _ A woman who was near the crossing at the time said that the signals there were obscured by smoke from the two locomatiTes on the south express, and that it would have been impossible for the driTer to see them. Visibility was bad on Saturday evening, _ with a heaTy drizzle and mo moonlight. Under normal conditions, with the express in the position it was, there would be the usual red light against the oncoming train and, further back, a caution signal,showing yellow.