NARROW ESCAPE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 6

NARROW ESCAPE.

GIRLVFALL UNDER TRAIN. PROMPT ACTION BY DRIVER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Prompt action by the driver of the Limited express saved a girl passenger, Miss Moira McMullian. daughter of the licensee of the Regent Hotel, Wellington, from serious injury at Paekakariki station thk morning. The train stopped at Paekakariki for the usual few minutes to enable passengers to obtain refreshments. On hearing the guard's whistle for the resumption of the journey to Wellington, Mies McMullian hastened to rejoin the train, but in her hurry she went to the wrong platform. When she realised her mistake the train was slowly drawing out from the platform. The girt attempted to mount the steps of one of the sleeping cars, but missed her footing. She slipped between the carriages, but miraculously fell almost clear of the rails, at the same time rolling herself close in under the edge of the platform. Seeing the «irl fall, the driver of the engine, Mr. J. Steele, of Palmerston North, applied the emergency brake, bringing the train to a standstill within a few feet. His action undoubtedly prevented serious injury to the girl from the undergear of the carriages. She was lifted out suffering from shock and minor bruises, but otherwise unhurt. On arrival at Wellington the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, who was also a passenger on the train, sent Miss McMullian to her home in the Ministerial motor car which was awaiting him.