RAILWAY ACCIDENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1939, Page 2

RAILWAY ACCIDENT

GOODS TRAIN DERAILED. [PEB PBEBS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN. October 13. A serious railway accident occurred, last evening, between Clarendon and Waihola, about’3o miles south of Dunedin, when a Clinton-Dunedin goods train, with 60 vehicles, was derailed. In all 26 vehicles were derailed, and several were capsized and badly damaged. The track was also badly damaged for 300 yards. It is unlikely that a clearance will be effected until late this afternoon. Passengers ami luggage on the north and south expresses wore transferred by buses, between Waihola. and Milton. and the north express left Dunedin 45 minutes behind schedule. The cause of the accident is as yet un known. The accident occurred on a straight st retch, two miles soul.]) of Waihola. 'the train comprised 6(1 trucks, a passenger coach, and two vans. Nobody was injured. Over 2<»'-.i yards of the track was torn up. ami many trucks were reduced to matchwood. A large proportion contained coal, tons of which were Huns down the embankment. Tlie engine and the leading truck escaped derailment, the 25 trucks involved living in the centre of the rake. Twisted steel and smashed woodwork litre)- die track for Ilin yards.

1.1 is hoped to have (lie line re-built late tliis afternoon. Two cranes are working with a break-down crew of 50.