Cattle Escape When 19 Waggons Derailed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30130, 14 May 1963, Page 4

Cattle Escape When 19 Waggons Derailed

(New Zealand Press Association)

WANGANUI, May 13. Nineteen waggons of 20 in a cattle train were derailed near the Heads road-King’s avenue corner near the Imlay freezing works in the early hours of this morning. The rails apparently splayed open and all but one of the waggons went off the rails. Five overturned and cattle escaped. The engine and waggon immediately behind it stayed on the rails. Mr J. C. Baker, whose home in Balgownie avenue backs on to the railway line, said he and his wife heard the crash at 4.55 am. and rushed out to investigate. A waggon was partly on his back lawn. Cattle were running around his property. The engine-driver, Mr J Lynne, of Anzac parade, stopped the engine immediately to investigate the accident and moved to go back to the broken waggon. He was forced to climb

back on to his engine when frightened cattle ran towards him. The beasts were later rounded up and taken to the works. Seven waggons were put back on the line by tractors and moved to the works with the cattle still in them. The rest of the cattle were leaded into motor-trucks after waggons had been shifted by the tractors. Only one beast was injured.