MAIL TRAIN SMASH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 28, 31 December 1926, Page 2

MAIL TRAIN SMASH.

A LUCKY ESCAPE. TOOWOOMBA, Dec. 18. The western mail train with 190 passengers on board figured in a sensational smash at Helidon railway station shortly after five o’clock yesterday afternoon.

One thing alone .prevented serious consequences, and that was that the train had slowed down considerably entering Helidon station where there is a ten minutes’ wait to enable passengers to have refreshments. The train crashed into two trucks standing on the main line, which had been left there during shunting operations. The trucks were knocked off the line, the line was fouled and the engine of the train was damaged slightly. No passengers were injured—in fact, they state they were not aware that an accident had occurred till the train pulled up. They did not even feel the bump. A breakdown gang cleared the line and placed the trucks back on the rails. The train was delayed over two and a-lialf hours. The trucks, which were part of a goods train, were being shunted into the goods shed siding. They comprised an empty sheep van and an open waggon loaded with goods.