RAILWAY COLLISION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1927, Page 1

RAILWAY COLLISION

OX GREYMOUTH WHARh

(Grey Argus.) A somewhat sensational accident occurred on the Grey mouth wharf about •1 p.m. yesterday, when a heavy railway locomotive of the WD tyi>c collided with the rear of a train composed of ,<g coal hoppers, resulting in the engine being thrown on its side, and four ol the coal hoppers being derailed, three of which were pushed on to the side of Mawhera Quay and their contents scattered in all directions.

The driver of the engine (No. 326). Mr E. Louslev, and the brakemnn. (Mr C. Laroombe) managed to scramble out of the cab without injury.

The cause of the collision was apparently due to the points being at fault. The train of coal hoppers tut* proceeding slowly alongside Mawhera

Quay, in a westerly direction, when the accident occurred. The Engine (Xo. 326) was travelling in the same direction cm another hue, when on reaching the points it was diverted from the course it was intended to travel and crashed into the rear of the coal train. The force of the impact must have been considerable, otherwise it would he difficult, to imagine how the maT hop-

pers which were comparatively light in weight, were sufficiently substantial on its side. Only minor damage was done, however, to the engine and coal hoppers concerned. A large crowd soon gathered on the scene to watch the operations of the breakdown gang. Two railway cranes were employed to place the engine on the metals. the work 1» jug carried out

to derail the locomotive, and turn ifc by about S p.m. Little difficulty was experienced in replacing the coaf hopper-- mi the line. The accident took place almost ex» actlv opposite Kim Williams’ shop ab the corner of Tainui Street and Mawhora Quay. The crowd of onlookers in the. evening, numbered well over iV t liousoud.