RECENT RAILWAY MISHAP

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 21 June 1923, Page 10

RECENT RAILWAY MISHAP

BEPOBT OF INQUIRY.

lakajs has Issuec ] the following statement in connection with the recent accident to the Main Trunk evpre shortly after leaving Thorndon station: A fully mqu.ry has been held by the Kailway Department in connection with the mishap to the Wellington-Auckland express on 9th in the R nt tunnel after leaving lhorndon station. The resuit of the inquiry shows that the brakes were thoroughly tested as usual before the tram left Thorndon, and they proved to be efficient, y The accident was due to the bursting of a Westinghouse brake hose, causing the train to part in the tunnel between tne first and second carriages. The rear portion of the train was automatically brought to a standstill, while tho front port.on travelled a short distance, as both engines were steaming at the time. t Both,the leading engines were superneated A B locomotives, and w-jre blowing off steam at a high pressure when they entered the tunnel. The condition m the tunnel from heat, smoke and steam was so bad that the engine crews were compelled to leave the footpln'e and get down to the water-table to escape suffocation. The' disabilities were increased by the darkness in the tunnel, and there is no doubt that the trying conditions affected the judgment of the men in their efforts to get out of the tunnel into the fresh air. From the evidence it is quite clear that the crews of both engines were on the verge of collapse from smoke and steam, and consequently -when they set back, although the impact between the .front and the rear portions of the train was not severe, tlie pressure exerted by the weight of the two engines and car— approximately 200 tons—against the rear portion of the train, which had, of course, remained immovable,, was sufficient to cause the rear platform of the postal car to mount the platform of the first car of the rear portion of the train. The draw gear of some of the cars was bent, and thi fact that no glass was broken in either doors or windows is a clear indication that tho damage to the rolling stock was the result of .the crushing force exerted by the weight of the two engines and postal car rather than of the impact. No one sustained injury.