TRAIN STRIKES COW

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 12

TRAIN STRIKES COW

CARRIAGES AND VAN DERAILED PASSENGERS’ LUCKY ESCAPE A trespassing cow was directly responsible for a remarkable mishap to an excursion train returning to Clinton from Tuatapere at 9 o’clock last evening. ■ Hurled by the cowcatcher to the side of the track, the animal struck the points lever with terriffic force, diverting half of the train on to another line and derailing three carriages, a van, and tho tender of the engine. Miraculously, the cars did not capsize, and though their occupants were hurled in all directions by the tremendous jolt, no one was injured, though several suffered slightly from shock. speed when it collided with the cow—fast enough to send its dead body bounding through the air. Only the engine had negotiated tho Arthurton crossing, the scene of the accident, when the lever was operated, and the smart application of the Westiughouse brakes by the engine crew, together with the drag caused by the carriages and the tender jumping the rails, caused the train to be brought to an abrupt standstill. The cars were badly damaged, while the rails were twisted and the permanent way torn up for several yards. The passengers’ escape was an extremely lucky one. A break-down train was immediately despatched from Invercargill, the track being cleared again for. traffic at _5 o’clock this morning. The mishap did not interfere with the running of other trains. Arrangements were made to convey the passen- 1 gers to their destinations by motor car.