LATER DETAILS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 146, 23 June 1887, Page 3

LATER DETAILS.

As sopn as hews of , the ' accident came tp-hand,,relief trains with,doctors were despatched to Peat.s ferry. The driver Wilson'fell under the engine, and was buried ih the river mud.

The fireman had. a miraculous escape. Three persons, died . almost instantaneously, and two-others succumbed duriiig -tiie night. The wounded: were brought to Sydney, some being admitted to the Hospital while others were taken to their own honies.

Had it. not been for lhe presence of miridvof -the pointsman, the whole train would have run into the river, and the result would have been disastrous beyond contemplation. Everything appears "to have gone smoothly until reaching Ryde, but from that place it was. found that the engine was'insufficient-to draw, the train, nine carriages, up •- the steep gradient: A portion' of-the train was detached, and the two sections were united at Hornby. The train; a little- late by this delay, proceeded towards Peat's Ferry at in-, creased speed, "and rushed through the tunnel towards the incline which leads right to the river's brink; - - '' - There was - a great increase -of speed on emerging from 'the'tunnel, and the driver appeared to lose all control, and sounded his whistle continuously. The, train oscillated violently, and the passengers grew alarmed. as the pace became terrific;: '-■"- ■''■

z' A disaster seemed now inevitable, and it is'said that the driver made an attempt to'avert' 1 utter ruin by reversing:', the' engine,l .but was-too late. Before the train reached Peat's station, however, the -pointsman rushed to .he points,-!;ahd holding them'bravely managed^ to; throw the train bn to a siding on which were two contractor's tracks!-ind an ■'engine.- I'-'His presence of: mind probably-prevented the Hvhple train being -precipitated into the: river.

.As sbon 'as the first section of carriages'' telescoped shriek's of agony and terror resouridM' on every side.' The engine fell over:the side of the ,'em--bankmei-t'iutb' the;mud,; the fireman, who was'much' injured,- being thrown into the ;water. "': .; ;'

.As soon as'intelligence of the' -catastrophe was received in Sydney, doctors ahd appliances'"were forwarded, and the." sufferers : brought back, many being in 'a.' _ •pitiable condition. There were heartrending scenes by relatives in search of;their friends and relations'. " ! The woud ded were conyeyed to ; the hospital'"'and''their own

houses!

m _,-_i s part' of tiie einbarilciTiebt' Hvliere: the train went'over is dbont 13 feet above High-water,' and the depth ,of .water is 12-, feet. ; ,ia/A_> "The wrecked engine was completely fitted with Hand brakes, which ;were applied, put it is supposed the rate-of speed '; oh"; ihe •gradient heated; ,i\ie brakes, and-they-would'not act; ; '. The., bodies, of, the killed were much mutilated. .Many of .the. excursionists were -young people engaged in various businesses -in- the:;city. ; Everything possible was .done to. alleviate the sufferings.of the,injured. ,;. : • ''William Eehme, l'manager for Messrs Atrioff and 'Co^'jum'pe'd-frbmthe'train, and Was - killed.- - Sorhe of the' inj aides i tO-others are [of a-serious character.: .; ■ : The accident was discussed in the Legislative Assembly --to-day. ■ -A' Board of Inquiry 'commence investigations to-morrow. ' *-': ;; "! , _ n Those' in. uredfby the accident are: progressing favourably-- , ■'•'"',/

'.'(SPECIAL.) -'i'.,;:;i ! ~.)';• i ; London. ;.Jun.e ,2\.,,.,