RAILWAY SMASH

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1928, Page 5

RAILWAY SMASH

IN POVERTY BAY Eleven Persons Injured d ILLAS Y I-NULIJxtE RESPONSIBLE. GiSBuKNE, May 19. Lieven pass'ngers ui.it oi uh-, were aboard when a trffiu iett Grsbume yesterday afternoon fur Motuhuiu, were injured in an accident on Utunu Hili, about 8 o’clock last night Generally the injuries were of a minor nature, but two men. were br*.light back to Gisborne, and admitted to Cook Hospital at 3.30 u.m. i he names of lire injured are:— R. A\ hitson of 13 Narana Avenue, Remuera, Auckland, engineer, ruptured vein 6n hip, facial injuries and concussion.

A. J. Campbell, of Opotiki, settler, concussion and minor injuries. F. W. Marshall, of Patutahi, badly jarred, and. abrasions on right knee. G. A. Ross, 31 Lyndhurst Street, slight bruise on head.

P. kl. Whittington, of Motu, slight bruise on left hip. Harry Maxwell, 13 Stanley Road, Gisborne, cuts on lip.

V. P. Fredericks, of Rakauroa, slight bruise on head. V. Oman, Grey Lynn, Auckland, abrasions of leg. Mrs. V. P. Fredericks, of Rakauroa, ruptur' d muscles of left shoulder.

Mrs. B. J. Climo, of Motuhora, cuts on head and bruised left leg. Mr. T. L. Baker, of Motuhora, ruptured muscles of back.

The mishap was due to the heavy rain, and consequent greasy nature of the rails. All went as far as Otoko Hill, which has been the cause of frequent, trouble to the Railway Department. The train comprised four trucks, laden with general merchandise, ears etc. two passenger carriages. and a guard’s van. The engine driver made strenuous efforts for threcquarters of an hour to ascend the hill, and it was then decided to follow the usual practice, and divide the train. The engine of W2 class, drawing four trucks, reached the top of the hill, left the trucks there, and then 'descendel for the car riages and guard’s van.

• Coming down the hill again, thr wheels of the engine would jmt gr!p on the greasy rails, and despite the tact that the driver applied the brakes, the engine crashed. bunker first, into the leading stationary carriage. The guard of the train was A. F. Bird, and the driver B. J. Pen berthy.

The crash was a terrible shock for the passengers, who were thrown in jumbled heaps about the carriages. The light immediately went out, and the shrieking of women and children added to the general panic. A momI ent, previously they had been chaffing ' one another about the long wait. The ! next moment was all confusion, j Gradually order was restored, and the I true state of affairs revealed. Fortun ate ly for' the passengers, the brakes of the carriages had been socureiy locked and they held against the strain of the. engine’s crash. Had the brakes given way, (since the smash occurred some -distance up the hill)., the carriages would have been swept downhill, probably jumped th*> rails, bringing about a far more terrible smash.

The foremost carriage was buckled throughout its length, and the for ward platform was almost flattened up against the carriage end. Evidence of buckling was given by the smashing of the washbasin in the centre of the carriage, and the partially squeezing together* of the scats. The second carriage did not suffer nearly so

much, but its occupants suffered in hardly less degree than those of the first carriage. The front of the engine suffered slight damage, being badly dented and having some heavy couplings snapped off. Mrs. Vivian Oman, of Auckland, came in for special praise from all passengers, for her work after the crash. Relief gangs were despatched from Rakauroa. and a train was sent out from Gisborne with a doctor and nurses, the scene of the accident being reached at 11.30. Everything possible was done to relieve the sufferers. Before the arrival of the relief train, the first carriage Rad been taken back to Rakauroa by the original engine. The relief engine on arrival pushed the remainder of the train to RakauYoa, and then took, all, except the badly injured carriage, on to Motn hora, while the damaged engine came back to town with the relief party and the injured. Campbell‘and Whit son were taken to the hospital. ANOTHER HOSPITAL CASE. GISBORNE, May 20 Mr T. L. Barker, of Motnhoroa, one of those injured in the railway accident, has been sent to the hospital.