TRAIN DERAILED.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 236, 29 June 1908, Page 4

TRAIN DERAILED.

NARROW ESCAPE IN. MANAWATU' GOBGE. (BY TELEQItATH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Palmerston North, Juno 27. The train from Wairarapa, which should have'-'arrived in Palmerston North at 3.45, was delayed in tho Gorge. Tho ongino ran into a stump which had fallen ou the lino at the first tunnel near tho Gorge station,,• or about tho 15-mile peg. This resulted in tho ongino and two trucks being derailod. Palmerston Station was immediately communicated with, and a special was dispatched to tho scene of the accident to bring tho passengers, through.: A number of workmen were also sent out by-the same train. On arrival thero it was found that no ono had . been hurt, although thero wero a good number of passengers upon tho train. Tho' driver was' Mr. G. French, and when the ongino, which is a J, left tho rails, both ho and tho fireman wcro considerably, 'knocked about; but beyond a few bruises and tho shock they escaped injury. Tho Wanganui and Woodvillo trains wcro delayed about half-an-hour at Palmerston, but ovontually were dispatched before the return of tho special. No, luggage was sent. through . tho Gorge on account of tho passengers having to tranship at tho sccno of the accident. Tho engino has been considerably damaged, and tho cow catcher doubled underneath, but it is not anticipated that thero will be any great difficulty in getting it'back upon tho rails, and tho work should bp completed by Monday. It is fortunato that tho accident did not happen furthor in tho Gorge, otherwise tho wholo train might have gono over, a drop of 50 or 60 feet into tho : bod of the rivor. Tho Wanganui passengers remained in Palmerston. .

A passenger, interviewed,'stated that they folt a considerable shock, and were thrown in a heap, although tho train was not travelling fast. Tliero was a good deal of alarm at first, especially among tho ladies, nut on realising what .had occurred they settled down cheerfully to wait for tho special, which arrived at G. 35. '

One lady, who was on tour with .her husband, is suffering considerably from shock, owing to previously having had experience of tho big train accident in Bondigo.