THE SMASH UP

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3629, 9 November 1918, Page 3

THE SMASH UP

ON THE MAIN TRUNK LINE

TWO MAIL OFFICERS KILLED

TWO PASSENGERS LOSE THEIR LIVES,

(Per Press Association.)

Taihape, November 8

A sorious accident occurred ou tho Main Trunk lino at 6 o'clock this morning, Avhon tho Auckland express for Wellington ran into a slip 1_ miles north of Mataroa, north of Taihape. Tavo cars and tho mail van Avcro telescoped. Tavo postal officials ivere killed, and tivo elderly malo passengors ivoro soriously injured. r J?wo other passengers also sustained injuries. All availablo modical aid has been sent to tho scene of the accidont. The injured passengers are boing transferred to tho Taihapo hospital.

Tho mail agents Avho left by last night's express which ran into tho slip Avero J. 11. Williams and R. Martin. Williams is a married man and Martin is single.

Tho accident occurred at 6.20 a.m. The engine driver and fireman aro unhurt. Tho injured havo been brought to Taihape.

One mail agent ivas terribly smashed about the head, and was found dead on top of the telescoped mail van. Another mail agent ivas tkroAvii among tho ivheels and was horribly crushed. Then- identity will bo difficult to detormine.

An elderly man had his left thigh liioken and his right foot almost severed, and died on tho tvay to Taihape. When told by the doctor he could not live, ho impeiturbably roplied, "Give mo a cigarette", doctor." With the lighted cigarette in his mouth, he passed away.

Among the seriously injured several had broken limbs and ribs. One has injured lungs. So far there is only on*) death among the passengers, and five serious cases, but there are many minor cases. Wellington, November 8. Mr. Hemes, Minister of Railways, in the course of a detailed statement about the railway accident, expressed sympathy with the sufferers and relatives of victims. It ivas quite clear that the disaster was a pure accident. The position of the accident precluding the sight of the obstacle before tho train ran into it. The slip was four chains long and will take a Aveek to clear. He thought the Department and country should be congratulated on successfully carrying out the enor-

mous traffic in the most difficult part of the line, subject to many slips.

T.aihape, November 9

Mr. F. J. Johnston, one of the vie-

Tims of the Main Trunk Railivay accident, who had a broken jaiv and bodily injuries, died at the Taihape hospital this morning. Tavo postal officers have arrived to identify the tAvo mail men who ivere killed.