AIM APPALLING SIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 11

AIM APPALLING SIGHT

(By Telegraph.—Press Association) ... .' " PUKEKOIIE, This Day. Thirty-six wagons were overturned in tho train smash, sonic lying on their sides and the others 'being upended. Some- were reduced to matchwood and present an appalling picture. The, wagon next tho engine was of tho enclosed typo. It was followed by six wagons containing oxen, and then eamo. 18 trucks of coal, four, trucks of timber, and various ,others/ making' a complete train- of 50 wagons. , . 'Evidently tho wagon next tho engine caused tho disaster. It left tho line over a quarter of a mile .south of the se'ene of the accident, passed over a small bridge, but in negotiating an easy bend on to; another bridge over the Paerata Creek tho .driver,' Currie, noticed • it and applied tW brakes, with the result that" the' following wagons were telescoped. Tho cattle suffered most, some of the animals being killed instantaneously A-number were precipitated over a ten-foot embankment in-' to a swamp and escaped injury. Several wore found in a dying condition among the' -wreckage, while' others had broken backs' and legs, and were soon dispatched by the' police. Twenty-two cattle are dead... . • Coal and timber aro strewn m all directions. . „ ■, ' v ' The whole scene is one of .devastation. . „•' . . - ' , Belief gang's wero dispatched to tlio scene immediately .-'to remove the wreckage and repair, the line. «>.-. Some of tho. wagons cannoned into a telephone -polo, wrecking, it. and cutting off communication with Auckland. Every available mode1 of transport at Pukokohp was requisitioned by the Hailway Department to convoy passengers between Pukckohe and Paorata for the north and south.' Tho officials consider that it will lalco all day to clear tho wreckage, and it will be. late--to-niglifcrbeforptlie: lino ia safe, for trnfflc. ;,..■■■.. .. .. 'Ky ■ ■..-,