RAILWAY COLLISION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 8

RAILWAY COLLISION

WRECK AT TE RAPA. PASSENGERS " LUCKY ESCAPE. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, Nov. 1. By a lucky freak of fortune at least live persons escaped death when the early morning AucklandFrankton mixed train crashed into the rear of a goods train which was just moving off from Te ltapa station at 6.30 a.m. to-day. Travelling at a fast pace the engine of the south-bounci train crashed its way through the guard’s van and threw three badly-damaged trucks completely off the line. It smashed the following carriage to matchwood, finishing up on it side almost torn in half.

Happy coincidences marked the escape of five persons. The enginedriver and fireman were almost imprisoned in their cab. They amazed the eye-witnesses by crawling out unharmed.

The guard of the stationary train was about to board his van when he saw the train looming up. He jumped for safety and, although flying pieces of iron and woodwork shot around him, he too was uninjured. A man and woman who occupied the telescoped carriage immediately following the engine had a few minutes before decided to shift to a carriage further back. A happy change of mind undoubtedly saved their lives. Although considerably shaken, none of the few passengers carried was injured. Willing hands assisted them from the carriages. CONFUSED WRECKAGE.

The scene of the crash, 100 yards north of the station buildings, was one of confusion as the light became more distinct. Nine trucks were badly damaged. The engine passed completely through the guard’s van, smashing it to matchwood as it lay on its side. The bogey of a carriage was smashed completely oil'. The engine boiler, was badly split and dented all round.

A huge heap of debris was accumulated about the shattered trucks upon which impinged the carriage which immediately followed the travelling engine piled over. It was a mere skeleton without wheels, chassis or windows, only two bleak walls. All had been smashed to atoms.

A box waggon was tossed completely off the line, while, piled on top of the confused mass, another truck was resting. A third had torn up the track and come to rest on its side alongside the others. The most fortunate man was Mr Percy Johnson, the guard of the goods train. Shunting operations had been completed and he had given the driver “right away” from half way down the train, and as the engine commenced to move walked down the line towards the van. AVhen 30 yards from his objective lie was startled to hear the approach of the fast train north and before he could take action in the thick fog a collision occurred. The guard of the Auckland train was Mr L. Thompson.