KAIMATA DERAILMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 December 1944, Page 4

KAIMATA DERAILMENT

LOCOMOTIVE CAPSIZED. A tree of large dimensions fell on to the railway line on the Otira side of the Kaimata tunnel early this morning, causing a large dent in the line. When it struck this fault an engine hauling a goods train from Christchurch to Greymouth fell almost to its side at 3.10 this morning, and the driver, Mr. W. Phelan, of Greymouth, was slightly injured. The following two wagfons were also derailed, causing a complete dislocation of traffic between Otira and Greymouth. Two 40-ton cranes have been dispatched from Christchurch and Dunedin and are expected to commence work re-railing the locomotive tomorrow. Workmen, with the aid of the small crane available locally, will probably replace the two waggons to-day. A new line has been placed around the derailed engine, which is resting at a perilous angle, being on its side. Passengers and goods on the perishable train, the railcar, and this morning’s express to Christchurch were required to be transhipped around the scene, express passengers being transhipped from Kokiri to Kaimata. It is expected, however, that this evening’s express from Christchurch will be ablee to pass round the area, work on the deviation being proceeded with at all speed. FLOOD DANGER AVERTED. Fears that the Grey River would overflow its banks with the Spring tide at 10.30 last evening proved to be unfounded, the water level increasing by only a few feet after about 6 o’clock and being two and a half feet from the wharf at high tide. A number of streets were flooded by water backing up. The r.un in the river this morning had diminished to six knots. The rain during the night was less severe, and up to 9 a.m. this morning 1.14 inches were recorded. The Liverpool mine is expected to resume work on Monday, though the serious damage sustained by Spark and Party, whose bath house and winch house, besides other gear, were smashed by debris from the slip at Rewanui, is likely to idle that mine for sime time. Road and rail communication between Greymouth and Runanga were re-established yesterday afternoon, when a train travelled over the inundated area at Camp, and buses were able to make the trip by road later on, though small cars were unable to pass through the water. . Considering the heavy rain and the comparatively rapid rise in the river, surprisingly little damage was reported from the country, and the loss of livestock was small. The most serious washout occurred at Rough River, where the approach to the bridge w«as washed out at about 5 o'clock last evening.