MIDLAND LINE SMASH

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1934, Page 7

MIDLAND LINE SMASH

TEN TRUCKS DERAILED MISHAP AT AVOCA [PEB PBEBS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 13. Ten trucks on a goods train carrying coal and timber between Arthur’s Pass and Springfield, were derailed this afternoon, near Avoca station. About two chains of the permanent way was torn up, and the express train which was following, was delayed three and a-quarter hours. The interIsland steamer was held back waiting for 14 passengers for the North Island. The cause of the mishap is not known yet, but it is thought to have been due to one of the .axles of the trucks breaking. Gangs are working to-night to clear’ the line. The accident occurred on a slight down-grade, just before the train ran into Avoca station. The line is slightly banked, and six of the trucks fell over the embankment to the left and two fell to the right. These, were badly smashed, and the salvaging of them w’ill present some difficulty for the crew of the breakdown train, which left Christchurch this evening, with a full repair outfit and a crane. All freight on the trucks was, of course, strewn over the track.

Four men were in the guard’p van of the goods train. They were badly shaken, but otherwise were unhurt. It is expected that the track will be cleared and fully repaired to-mor-row.

Enquiries made at the Railways Department, Greymouth, to-day, elicited the information that the accident near Avoca did not affect the running of the service to the West Coast. The express from Christchurch arrived at Greymouth on scheduled time, yesterday, and the goods trains to and from Christchurch ran as usual last night.

KILLED BY EXPRESS. OAMARU, November 13. »A shocking fatality occurred at 2.30 o’clock this afternoon on the railway line near the Oamaru station, a railway employee, Charles Gibson, being run down by the express and killed instantaneously. Gibson, who was working cutting grass with a scythe, was seen in the middle of the main line with his back to the express, which was approaching from the south. He was looking to 7 wards a shunting engine with a rake of trucks approaching from the north, and apparently he did not hear the express, the engine striking him and throwing him forward, then picking him up with the cow-catcher and carrying him 26 yards before throwing him on to the shunting line. Shocking injuries to the head, limbs and body were inflicted' by the severity of the impact.