FALL UNDER TRAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 48, 25 January 1939, Page 3

FALL UNDER TRAIN.

PASSENGER’S ESCAPE. PROMPTITUDE OF DRIVER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. Prompt action by the driver ol the Limited express saved a girl passenger, Miss Moira McMullian, of Wellington, from serious injury at Paekakariki station this morning. Tlie train stopped at Paekakariki for tlie usual few minutes to enable passengers to obtain refreshments. On hearing the guard’s whistle lor the resumption ot the journey to Wellington Miss McMullian hastened to rejoin the train, but in her hurry went to the wrong platform. When she realised her mistake the train was slowly drawing out from the platform, l’lie girl attempted to mount the steps of one of the rear sleeping cars, hilt missed her footing. She slipped between the carriages, but miraculously fell almost clear of the rails, at the same time rolling herself close in under the edge of the platform. Seeing the girl fall, the driver of the engine. Mr j. Steele, of Palmerston North, applied the emergency brake bringing the train to a standstill within a few feet. His action undoubtediv prevented serious injury to the girl from the undergear of the carriages. She was lifted out suffering from shock and minor bruises, but was otherwise unhurt. On the train’s arrival at Wellington, the Minister of Education (Jion. P. Eraser), who was also a passenger bv the train, sent Miss McMullian to her home in a Ministerial car which was awaiting him.