MAIN TRUNK DISASTER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 139, 29 May 1914, Page 3

MAIN TRUNK DISASTER.

CONDITION OF THE INJURED

[per press association.] Auckland, May 28. Satisfactory progress was reported to night in regard to all the passengrs who weie only injured in the rail way disaster at Whangantaiino. The nervous shock caused by their terrible exnerince in the wrecked sleep ing ear was modified for some hours by their excitement, but four passengers who suffered most had all de veloped symptoms of severe shock. To-day those who escaped physical injury were also virtually prostrated. The condition of Mr. Goldingliam is slightly improved. He was able to sleep for about three hours during the night, but he is suffering from severe nervous shock, and will be confined to bed for some time. His physical injuries include a deep wound below the left eye and exten sive bruising on the shoulders. Satisfactory progress is being made by Air. John Swinson, of M ellington who is a patient in the Waikato Hospital. His right thigh is fracturd. Air. Swinson had a fairly good night. Air. 11. A. Fox, of Wellington, is a patient in Mount Pleasant Hospital, tie is suffering from shock and bruis ing. and had one toe dislocated. Tonight he was reported to be progressing favourably. The physical injuries received by Air. H. G. Alackay, of Alelbourne, were not sei ions. The porter who was in charge ai Whangamarino, William Donaldson, was in the city to day canning his fractured arm in a sling. * He is suffering also from very general bruising, as he was thrown off the points lever as though from a cata pult. RE-OPENING THE LINE. THE TRACK CLEARED. The collection and disposal of the wreckage, was continued yesterday. The main line had been cleared on Wednesday afternoon, but the siding will not be available for use before this afternoon. A full estimate of the damage to the rolling stock was made to day. The locomotive of the experss tram remains tn its side in swampy land on the eastern side of the embankment just as it fell. An examination showed that only a few steam pipes had been broken, and when these and some other minor damages have been repaired the engine will be available for use again. Eight wagons of the goods train were de stroyed by the collision. They were two cattle and four sheep wagons, one covered goods van, anil one open goods truck. All of these will have to be rebuilt, as only various parts are of any practical value. Repairs will he required in the case of several other wagons. The sleeper car and the postal van will also require reconstruction, as both the under frames and the bodies were greatly damaged by telescoping® Both vehicles have been repaired so that they can be hauled to the repair shops. Twenty four men were employed at Whangamarino to day. The Huntly correspondent of the ‘“Herald” telegraphs:—“ln clearing away the wreckage all that is useful in the way of wheels, iron and other material is being loaded into titicks to be removed to the Newmarket railway workshops, while the wood work that was shattered beyond fur trier usefulness is being burned.” The direction of the work was undertaken by the Chief Mechanical Engineer (Mr. H. H. Jackson) when he arrived in Auckland from Wellington by the first express train, and returned Io Whangamarino by the noon train. The difficult operation of restoring the overturned locomotive to the line will be undertaken on Sunday, as the railway will then be clear of traffic. The poweiful plant required to lift it will be assembled in posi tion to-day and to morrow.