ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3167, 13 September 1880, Page 2

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

From later reports I learn that the first accounts were exaggerated as to the nature of the mishap,, and that instead of being a wonder any escaped, it seems strange that so much mischief was done. I am now assured positively that no carriages or persons fell to the bottom of tho precipice, but that tho facts are as follow :—As the train was emerging from a deep rocky cutting which precedes the scene of the disaster, a sudden blast of wind struck it, overturning the luggage van and passenger carriages; the couplings did not break, but still held the carver framo3 to tho engine, which remained tightly gripping the middle roil, and luckily held firm, although swaying visibly under tho strain. The whole of the upper part of the carriago, however, was smashed into matchwood, and hurled over the precipice, passengers aud do'bris being scattered among boulders down the side of the declivity, but not falling to the bottom. For a while, however, the wreck of carriages hung suspended above them, and had it given way or the engine fallen over, all must have been crushed to a jelly, as the gully at this place converges almost to a point nearly a hundred feet below, so that had nil gone down, they would have been crushed into a compact Jiass at the bottom. They lay around for a time unconscious, and those who first recovered their senses described the scene as a fearful one—killed and wounded lyiug around in all directions covered with blood and the traiu above suspended in mid-air, threatening every moment to fall on them, a fell brake being detached to run down tho incline for assistance. The two produce waggons were also capsized by tho gale, and the engine had to sustain a double strain of the several vehicles hanging over the precipice at both ends, full weight on tho couplings, which fortunately held fast. The Dead Children. Two ot tho children killed on the spot wero smothered in ddbris. The other was partially decapitated, and its brains dashed out. The third was picked up not quite dead by Herbert Dickson, one of the passengers, himself much injured. lie tried to arry her up the bank, but she died in his arms bctore reaching the top. The Rev. Mr Gossett's Account. The Rev. Mr Gossett was one of the passengers. He states that two fierce gusts were felt, which hurled a shower of stones against the carriage, and in a second capsized it. The accident is solely attributable to tho excessive violence of tho wind, aud not to the Fell incliue. Indeed the grip of the engine on the middle rail was all that saved the whole train from total destruction, and the passengers from instaut death. Some means of protection, however, will have to bo promptly devised against the wind at this dangerous point. The line was speedily cloared for trailic, and trains passed through shortly afterwards.

When the special arrived at the spot with doctors, the force of tho wind was so great that they had to crawl on their hands aud knees, tightly clutching the middle rail, to avoid being blown over the precipice. The wounded were laid temporarily under the shelter ot a cutting close by. Au inquest will be held to-day, but it is not probable that any further particulars will be elicited beyond those now' given. The affair has created a profound sensation ia Wellington.