TWO INJURED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 295, 13 December 1943, Page 4

TWO INJURED

TRUCKS OFF LINE CRANE DERAILED (0.C.) WHANGAREI, this day. When a railway crane was derailed three miles south of 'Mareretu at 5.30 this morning, it dragged with it 11 trucks. Two railway employees who were riding on a truck following the crane were injured, and were admitted to the Whangarei Hospital.

The injured are:—

Mr. George Martin, aged 43, crane operator, of Taumarere. shock, general abrasions and injuries to the chest; condition at present satisfactory.

Mr. William Cates, crane operator, of Kawakawa, lacerations to the thigh; condition satisfactory.

The train involved in the derailment was a ' north-bound mixed goods one with three passenger carriages. which left Auckland at 11.15 last night and was due to arrive at Whangarei at 5.20 a.m. At 5.30 the train had just emerged from the tunnel south of Mareretu on to a flat stretch of line when, traversing a cutting, a crane, which was preceded by two engines and two flat wagons, left the rails, dragging with it all the 11 trucks. The truck immediately behind the crane carried housing accommodation for the crane operators, who were inside at the time. The superstructure of this truck was wrecked, and the two men became tangled with the debris.

Passengers, whose carriages had not been affected by the derailment -immediately went to their assistance, but the greatest difficulty was experienced in rescuing the men. Eventually they were freed and were found to be badly injured. Doctor F. W. Dawson and a nurse, who were travelling on the train gave medical aid until an engine and truck arrived and conveyed the injured men to Mareretu, where an ambulance was waiting to convey the men to Whangarei.

Scene of Confusion

One truck was thrown about 10ft on to the top of a bank, while the remainder were scattered in confusion.

A wrecking gang was summoned, workmen being collected en route from Maungaturoto to the scene of the accident, and they immediately started clearing the line. Sixty men are engaged, but it is estimated that the line will not be clear for traffic until late to-night. A relief train brought the passengers from the wrecked train to Whangarei, where they arrived nearly four hours late. Passengers from other trains were transhipped to the scene of the ■accident to waiting trains, enabling them to complete their journeys. Similar arrangements were made for the north and south-bound expresses.

Mareretu is 100 miles north-east from Auckland, and is situated In the Otamatea County.