ALARMING TRAM ACCIDENT.

Hastings Standard, Issue 370, 12 July 1897, Page 3

ALARMING TRAM ACCIDENT.

| CABLES.

♦- SYDNEY TRAMS IN COLLISION. TWO CARS TELESCOPED. AND ENGINES KNOCKED OFF THE LINE. SEVERAL PERSONS SERIOUSLY INJURED. (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) Sydney, This day. An alarming tramway accident, believed to be the outcome of malicious damage to the air brakes, resulting in serious injur}' to occurred last night. A loaded tram from Waverley was standing at the foot of a steep hill in Oxford street when another loaded tram came up behind and collided. The impact was not severe, and no serious damage was done. Before, however, the two first trams were removed a third, with two heavily-lnden cars, came full speed down the hill. All efforts were made to stop them, but were unavailing. They dashed into and completely telescoped its two cars, and knocked the two engines and four cars oif the rails. Two cars were badly smashed. As soon as possible the passengers were removed from the debris. Later. It was found that James Demson, Mrs Demson, Mrs Coady, Alfred Jackson, Frederick Gibson, George Smith (the two latter belonging to H.M.S, Tauranga), Herbert Simson and the head conductor of the third tram were most severely injured, and were removed to the hospital. A number of others were slightly injured. On an examination of the brakes of the last tram it was discovered that a stone had been carefully fitted into the nozzle of each of the air brakes, with the evident intention of interfering with their action. The damage to the rolling stock is estimated at £4OO to €SOO.