SOMEONE BLUNDERED.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18674, 24 April 1926, Page 16

SOMEONE BLUNDERED.

TRAIN AND FLOCK OF SHEEP. WAITAKI BRIDGE ACCIDENT. (StICIAL TO "THI PRESS-") . OAMARU, April 23. At the meeting of the Waitaki County Council yesterday, a letter was received from the Hon. J. A. Young, in reply to a letter from the Council, which drew tlio attention of the Ministei for Railways to a recent accident which occurred on the Waitaki bridge, when a train ran into a flock of lambs, killing a number. The letter was as follows; —"Relative to the recent accident on the AVaitaki railway bridge, I have to inform you that the accident was not, as inferred by your Council, due to the bridge gates being left open, when they should have been closed. As your Council is doubtless aware, the accident occurred at 0.40 a.m. on February Uth, at which time the bridge-keepers were not on duty. In such circumstances the Departmental instructions to train men and others concerned explicitly provide that, trains njust be piloted over th'e ' Waitaki bridge,. The procedure laid down provides that the train must ,be brought to a standstill before entering on the bridge, and the guard must walk in front of the train, and pilot it' across. The train must follow, maintaining a distance of not less than 100 yards between the guard and the engine, and it will therefore be clear that little room is left for the possibility of accidents occurring, providing these instructions are observed. "Unfortunately, however, the engineroan failed to.stop his train as directed, and although the Department's enquiries have not yet been brought to j a conclusion, there appears to be little doubt that the customary vigilance displayed by the Department's enginedrivers was not in evidence on this occasion.. The instructions to bridgekeeners are also very explicit and comprehensive, and the freedom from the occurrence of accidents on bridges, whether the regular attendants are on duty or not. points conclusively to the effectiveness of the Departmental regulations governing this phase of railway operations."