IN THE FOURTH CARRIAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 125, 27 May 1914, Page 6

IN THE FOURTH CARRIAGE.

A passenger travelling in the fourth carriage from the engine, when seen by a representative of the •'Auckland Star." stated: "The first I know about the affair was three sharp whistles for the brakes to be applied. We were almost immediately all thrown from our seats by the impact. Beyond tho shock of the tumble on the floor, we all escaped injury. I; was pitch dark at tbe time, about a quarter before .". a.m., and ih<-re were no lights, mi it was impossible In see what had occurred. It did not take mc long to put on my boots and go out lose ■ what, was the mutter. As far as I cv>u,.i ascertain the cause of the trouble was that, the very keen frost bad interfered with the wires by which the semaphore is operated. Tlie rpsult was (hilt the signal was released showing the green light, which meant line clear. The cv pre-s had slackened il- pace coming through the station, and the goods train was going on to the siding. Tin engine of tin- express cut into ihe incoming goods train alxtnt hallway down. Thai train had -beep truck- and a 1..1 .v manure. The force of the impact isbown by tbe fact licit the engine of Ihe express was thrown clear of the line. The postal car was next the engine, and il telescoped the sleeper, only tlie last coin partment of the bitter escaping. Evidently, the goods train wits half through when the express ran into it. The 1 rucks of the goods train were piled right up on the carriages of the exprc-s. liventhing was so mixed up thai men had lo get to work with axes to chop a way lo get the passengers out- Otic very fortunate tiling was that there happened to be two nurses on the irafii. and the ladies did splendid w-ork. They laboured a long time witb the passengers who wore got out in an unconscious state."