RUNAWAY TRAIN VAN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1913, Page 6

RUNAWAY TRAIN VAN.

OFFICIAL'S PROMPT ACTION,

On May 25 a guard's van which had been standing at the Sutherland Station (N.S.W.), broke away, and proceeded at a terrific speed down the steep grade which terminates at Como Station, on the bunk of George's River, a. distance of three miles. In that distance it can be quite understood that the van had gained terrific speed. As it approached Como Sta- : tio,n> several passengers were on the ; platform awaiting the incoming ', 'Sutherland-bound train from Syd- ] ney. Although there is a double line, '. the bridge only provides for one train \ on it at a time, lines being laid with- j in one another. The Sutherland-bound ; train was nearing the bridge as the ! runaway thundered through the Como ', Station. The officer in charge was on t the platform, and was horrified at the : situation, as a head-on collision on the ; bridge would result in terrible loss, of ' life. He rushed to the levers on the { platform just in time to turn the van ! into a dead end. The. startled spectators said the van hit the dead end > with a terrific crash,' jumped into the j air about 20ft., and landed with a j smash on the bank of tie river some distance below. Luckily there was no- -. body in the van. The officer whose J presence of mind saved a critical situa- j tion was loudly cheered by the specta- j tors.