MISHAP TO EXPRESS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 20 April 1927, Page 9

MISHAP TO EXPRESS

CARRIAGE AXLE UNSHIPPED. GUARD AVERTS DISASTER. , The prompt action of a railway guard in applying the Westinghouse brakes averted to a ,portion of the Wellington-Napier express on Good- Friday afternoon. When the train was proceeding at full speed about a- mile south of Marakeke, a jolt was felt, and a cloud of dust was noticed by the guard and the train bookseller, who is a survivor of the Opapa. smash, in which he was injured. The guard, Mr Chesterman, immediately -applied the brakes and brought the train to a -standstill. It was found that the' front axle oil a first-class car. the fifth vehicle from the lower end of the train, had come unshipped. The bogey had dropped on the track and the axle had been jerked upwards, one wheel penetrating the floor of the carriage where an elderly lady was sitting. She was not injured, but received a nasty shock. As there were two engines on the train, one of them was despatched to the neare-st station for a breakdown gang. The train was uncoupled at the spot where the accident occurred and proceeded on its journey, one of the engines being sent to stand by the remaining five carriages, the' guard’s van am l the mail van. The passengers ‘Vom the rear portion of the train '•ere transferred to the other carriages. and the train arrived at Napier at half-past six.

•Apart from the- -presence of mind of the guard, says the “Hawke’s Bay Herald.” two factors operated to prevent a disaster—-namely. a level ’ine and the absence of any curves. Had the guard pot been ip the van (bo train could not have been milled up in time to avert serious- damage, us. unfortunately, this express is- not provided with a communication cord.