REMARKABLE ESCAPE

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 194, 15 July 1930, Page 2

REMARKABLE ESCAPE

TRAIN NEARLY DERAILED. COLLISION -AT CROSSING. There was a remarkable escape from the derailment of the south-bound Napier express to-day as it was proceeding to Palmerston North, and it is stated that only prompt action by the engine-driver prevented what might have proved' to be a disastrous accident. The incident occurred at a level crossing between Oringi and Mahayah*ra, on the far side of Woodville from Palmerston North, shortly after 11 a.m. ' • Driven by Mr Fred Neale of Dannevirke, a heavy lorry laden with fencing posts was negotiating the line when it was caught right in the middle by the oncoming express engine. Tossed to one side of the line about twenty yards past the crossing, the lorry was badly wrecked. The driver had a miraculous escape from serious injury and emerged from a severe collision with, merely a cut over the eye. There was a heavy bump when the engine struck the lorry and it is stated to have jumped perceptibly, but it did not leave the rails. Posts were piled over the front of it when it came to a standstill and it was battered to such an extent that it could not continue the journey. The headlight was smashed, the cow-catcher twisted, the smokebox smashed off and the whole front of the engine damaged. The engine was uncoupled at Jlaharahara, and the express was brought on to Palmerston North by an emergency engine, arriving at this centre at 2.20 p.m. after considerable delay and being one and a-half hours behind schedule. Passengers on the tram had an unenviable experience when the impact occurred. Some of them informed a “Standard” reporter that it was a singularly fortunate circumstance that the train was not derailedj taking into consideration the nature of the collision. The New Plymouth express was held at Palmerston North from 1 p.m. until the arrival of the Napier express in order to enable the connection to be made by passengers for Taranaki and other places up the line.