AWFUL SMASH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 January 1928, Page 5

AWFUL SMASH.

13 TRUCKS DERAILED. GUARD’S NARROW ESCAPE PERTH, Dec. 22. A sensational railway co.hsion occurred on the main Perih-r remantie line, about six mileis from Perth, in the eariy hours of this morning, as the result of which tarte long goous trains were partly wrecked. At least 13 mlly laden trucks were derailed, and large numbers of stoca were mangled and hilled. Luckily only one member of the train crews was hurt, and he not seriously, although he had a marvellous escape from death.

It is the most disastrous smash ever recorded on the metropolitan railway system. So far officials have refrained from commenting on the smash, or offering any explanation of the cause. GUARD’S STORY.

James Pettit, the injured guard o. the stock train which suffered most, stated that his train was proceeding uom Midland Junction to Robb s •jetty with about 45 trucks, heavily laden with stock. Owing to an engine breakdown the train was delayed for. an hour at Claremont station while a rebel engine was secured.. Shortly after they got under way again, and when approaching Swanbourne, another train crashed into the rear of his train, and lie remembered no more until he was dragged from the wreckage of his splintered van. Just as he was pulled clear he heard another crash and saw a train approaching irom Fremantle on the opposite set of raiis dash into one of the telescoped trucks. it seems apparent that the driver of the wheat train which crashed into Pettit’s van was unaware that he was so close to the train in front, and was unable to stop his train crashing into it. All the engines remained on the line, but trucks of all except the third train were telescoped and piled up in confusion. The force of the impact was so great that trucks burst their sides and released droves of sheep and pigs, but many of these were mowed down by the third train. Although the hour was so late, people came on the scene and liberated many of the suffering animals. Grunting pigs, bleating sheep, 'and the pile of wreckage presented an incongruous sight.