TUNNEL MYSTERY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 246, 31 July 1935, Page 6

TUNNEL MYSTERY

NO EXPLANATION AS TO CAUSE.

FIREMAN TELLS EXPERIENCE.

SUDDENLY UNCONSCIOUS. (Per Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, This Day. Interviewed, the fireman of the wrecked train, Mr J. Reidy, who has recovered from his alarming experience, stated be could advance no theory as to the; cause of tlie fumes which rendered him and the driver unconscious in the Poro-o-tarao tunnel. He had travelled through the tunnel on numerous other occasions during the last three years without experiencing any ill effects. The train was on time, and they entered the tunnel at a crawl. The first intimation he received that anything was amiss was when he felt the driver, Mr F. Westneath, roll against his legs. That was the last thing he remembered until he recovered consciousness on the baifk overlooking the derailed engine.

Mr Reidy stated that lie had no idea how long they had been in the tunnel when they were overcome by the fumes.

GREAT LOSS OF LIVESTOCK.

TAUMARUNUI, July 30

Further details of the gassing of the driver and fireman of a train in the Poro-o-tarao tunnel show that the guard, Mr H. McQuillan, noticed the fumes, and wondered what was happening. Then a bump came, and he went forward to the engine with two passengers, a man and a boy, who were riding in the van in .charge of the live stock. They found the engine and 16 waggons derailed. Tlie extent of the damage to rolling - stock is not yet known. In front of the Samson post two empty trucks were standing. The engine crashed through these, hit the post, and then turned over on its side. One of the 16 trucks which turned over lay across the mail line, and held up traffic. From the wreckage, 40 cattle, 60 sheep, and two horses were rescued. Fifty sheep and 20 cattle were injured or killed. It was fortunate that the points were open to switch the train on to the side track, as the down goods train whicli the wrecked train was to wait for arrived five minutes after tlie smash, and a likely head-on crash was averted.

CALL FOR DOCTOR.

DIFFICULT JOURNEY TO SCENE

AUCKLAND, July 30,

When the first express reached Waimiha a call was made for a doctor, and Dr. Richie, of the Public Works Department, and Mr E. B. Boisen, a St. John Ambulance worker, responded. Railway officials obtained a motor-car and the party set out over difficult roads, for Poro-o-tarao. The journey Avas only six miles, but it took two hours, as it had to be completed on foot.

Mr Boisen said that both men had had an astonishing escape. They had been extricated Avitli much difficulty from the manhole in the top of the cab and Avere only semi-conscious. They could not speak coherently. Their condition is not regarded as serious, but both are suffering acutely from shock.

The Limited and the Main expresses arrived at Auckland as one train at 12.15 this afternoon.