MISHAP ON BRIDGE

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 18 May 1933, Page 5

MISHAP ON BRIDGE

BEAM STRIKES RAILWAY VAN

GUARD’S NARROW ESCAPE.

PALMERSTON N., May 17. A guard on a goods train, which arrives in Palmerston North at 6 a.m., F. Bieknell, had a narrow escape this morning when the train was passing over the Karkariki railway bridge. A beam on the bridge, which had apparently been loosened by vibration, struck "the front portion of the guard’s van. The stanchions supporting the roof were torn loose and the woodwork and the window in one side of the van were smashed almost to matchwood.

The guard was seated at a desk at the opcosite end of the van when the accident occurred, the debris being piled on to the desk and all around him. Mr Bieknell brought the train to a stop at Halcombe, and the staff at the railway station immediately proceeded to the bridge to effect repairs before the arrival of the southbound Limited express. The express was delayed until the obstruction on the bridge was repaired.—“ Dominion” Service.