GOODS TRAIN SMASH

Evening Star, Issue 23729, 9 November 1940, Page 10

GOODS TRAIN SMASH

LOCOMOTIVE AND TRUCKS , DERAILED MAIN TRUNK SERVICE DISORGANISED HUGE BOULDER CRASHES ON LINE [Per United Press Association.] WANGANUI, November 9. A huge boulder crashed from the cliff face on the main trunk line some chains north of Hihitahi. railway station and caused the derailment of the K locomotive and eight trucks of a goods train southward bound from Ohakune before 9 o’clock last night. The running of trains was disorganised to-day, passengers being transferred by bus from Taihape to Hihitahi, and from Hihitahi to Taihape. The ordinary south-bound express from Auckland was four and ahalf hours late in reaching Marton today, and the Limited three and threequarter hours late at Wanganui. The passengers were brought to Wanganui by a bus sendee. The ordinary express from Wellington to Auckland is seven and a-quarter hours late, and the limited eight hours late. Breakdown trains and gangs of men were despatched last night to the scene, visibility through heavy rain being bad at the time. The K locomotive, after striking the boulder, rolled over on its side, the driver and fireman escaping injury. The trucks were badly smashed. BITTERLY COLD. PALMERSTON NORTH, Nov. 9. Passengers on arrival here related that the weather was bitterly cold, with rain and snow, while the transhipping was carried out. Motor buses from Raetihi, Ohakune, and Taihape were engaged. •