NARROW ESCAPE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 October 1926, Page 9

NARROW ESCAPE.

FOR LIMITED EXPRESS. HELD UP BY SLIP. {BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) MARTON, Oct. 11. Following 36 hours’- almost continuous rain, Rangitikei presents a very sodden appearance, although the waters are now subsiding. A heavy fall at Marton caused the -streams to burst their banks and take new courses with a confluence in l the main thoroughfare, resulting in a. severe flooding of the cellars of business premises. Last night- Broadway was completely covered, to a depth in some places of seven inches. The street- resembled- a mill race. At Marton Hotel damage to the extent of almost £IOO was caused. A local sawmill is flooded, and work is proceeding under great difficulty. Owing to the heavy rush of water the surface of the main roads has been worn off in many places, and numerous slips are also reported. A serious slip occurred on the railway near Greatford. When the northbound Limited express was passing it is believed the vibration from the train loosened the face of an embankment-, resulting in a fall of several tons of earth. The postal van at the rear of the train was struck by the debris and two wheels derailed. The train was held up there for 12- hour's. Arrangements were made at Marton to provide the passengers with food. A witness of the slip considers it was fortunate the train was proceeding at a -slow pace, otherwise there might have been'a terrible calamity. The train nroceeded north at noon.