TRAIN SMASH

Evening Star, Issue 25926, 18 October 1946, Page 6

TRAIN SMASH

ENGINE GREW CHARGED NEGLECT OF DUTY ALLEGED IPX) AUCKLAND, October 18. “ I looked at my watch at two minutes to 12, and looked at the starting signal controlling my" departure. It was showing two reds. Just then 1 saw train No. 141 approaching from the front and on the same lino as I was on. The engine was about two car lengths from the front of my engine. I called to my fireman to get out quickly, and I leapt out the right-hand side of my cab,” said Frederick William Wilson, engine driver, giving evidence in the Police Court this morning in continuation of the case concerning the train crash at Papatobtoe railway, station on August 24. In this- case an engine dl'iver and a fireman were charged with neglect of duty and causing actual bodily harm to a passenger. The accused were George Robert Pretoria Dickson, engine driver, aged 46,. single, and Desmond Samuel Ulsley, fireman, aged 22, single. Wilson, who was the -driver of the stationary train which was struck head on by the other train, said he could not say what speed train No. 141 was travelling at at the time. The distance far too short to form an opinion. After the impact he climbed on to the step of the cab'of train 141 and saw the accused Dickson sitting on the driver’s seat. Dickson assured him that lie (Dickson) was all right. Dickson appeared to have a cut above the right eye. Dickson’s fireman, Illsley, was also bleeding from a cut. Both engines were severely damaged, \yitness said lie thought visibility was overcast at the time. William Butcher, Railway Department engineer, said Dickson had 28 years’ servico with tho department. The stationary train was forced back 57ft by the collision. Witness was unable to find evidence that Dickson used sand to assist him to stop the train, which was the usual practice adopted in such circumstances. Tlio case is proceeding.