TRAIN REACHES CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25428, 26 February 1948, Page 6

TRAIN REACHES CHRISTCHURCH

WAIT BY ANXIOUS RELATIVES

Passengers from the wrecked PictonChristchurch express, who arrived in Christchurch about 12.30 this morning by special train, said that at Blenheim the express overshot the station and that on curves before the accident they were swung in thfcir seats. Elderly people paid tributes to -the prompt steps taken by -younger persons to help the injured and others in damaged carriages. Many of the passengers were returning from holidays in Nelson or Marlborough Sounds, others,were travelling to Dunedin for the centennial celebrations, and some students were bound for Canterbury University College. There were at least two couples returning from honeymoons. A number of those who came to Christchurch last night had minor injuries and damaged clothing. Those who were in the carriage which came to rest with its side torn off beside the engine said that their experience was terrifying. They could not remember shooting past the first carriages. There was a deafening tearing sound, and then everything vrent black as smoke from the engine billowed into the carriase. There was a glow of fire, but it soon became clear that this was from the engine’s firebox and not from spreading flames. Steam from the engine escaped quickly, and did not injure passengers. Closeness td the wrecked engine prevented passengers escaping through the torn side of the carriage, so windows on the other side were broken and most passengers, including several elderly women, got out of them. One of two sisters from New' Plymouth, going to live in Dunedin, had a bad cut on the back of her head. She said the roof of the carriage appeared to collapse and those near her had to scramble through the wreckage. Most of it was light. These two said a young man had done good work in freeing a boy whose leg was caught. On the train last night, this young man was with his grandmother, aged 79, who Was further back on the wrecked train. “I came through it like a young one,” she said. Jolt Like Earthquake

Catriages which remained upright received a jolt like a severe earthquake. “We”ll travel by bus if we have to wait a week in Christchurch,” said tw T o Dunedin girls, who had been in Nelson for hop-picking. Both were cut about the face and legs by flying glass, and were suffering from shock. They had no clear impressions of the accident. Fire, smoke, and steam from the engine led passengers in the carriage fourth back from the engine to believe that the train had caught fire. They broke windows with their feet or suitcases, and dropped some nine feet into mud. One of the passengers, a Wellington businessman, criticised the method of opening the carriage doors. To open a door it was necessary to press a button with one’s thumb and at the same time turn a lever to the left. That, he said, was confusing, and women passengers panicked when they tried to wrench open doors.

Although she was in the last carriage one girl was badly cut by glass. She was not injured seriously enough to be taken to hospital, but her leg's were lacerated, her head was cut. one hand was bleeding, and one thigh was badly cut. Even seven hours later blood was coming though the bandages on her thigh. At suburban stations near Christchurch several persons came through the relief train asking for relatives or friends. When the train reached Christchurch there was a large crowd—almost as large as that which would meet the express from the south—on the station. There were tnany happy reunions. but others on the station looked in vain for relatives or friends. A large fleet of taxis waited outside the station and passengers were taken away without delay.

As soon as he was notified of the 4 derailment of the Picton-Christchurch express, the Superintendent of Police in Christchurch (Mr H. Scott) instructed the constable at Kaikoura to go to Seddon. Sergeant D. G. Simpson and four constables went from the Christchurch Central Station to give whatever assistance was required.