TRAIN DERAILED

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1931, Page 4

TRAIN DERAILED

SEVEN TBUOKS LEAVE TRACK. TRAFFIC DISORGANISED. A mixed goods and passenger train, which left VVhangarei at 9 o’clock this morning for Mauugaturoto, became derailed on a section between the Marerotu tunnel and Taipuha. Seven trucks including a car and van left the rails, and as a consequence traffic is disorganised, the track being damaged to some extent. Fortunately, no one was injured and it is not expected that the accident will take long to rectify. A relief train carrying workmen left Whangarei at about 2 o’clock this afternoon for the scene of the accident. Passengers on both the North and South-bound expresses are being transferred. It is almost exactly twelve months ago that a train became derailed on the same section of line. A later message states that it is expected that the line will not be cleared until late tonight or early tomorrow morning. In a message received late this afternoon from an “Advocate” correspondent, it is revealed that there are two chains of track' completely destroyed, the rails being twisted and the sleepers smashed. Apparently a truck came off the line about 300 yards from the actual scene of the accident and was dragged along for some distance before the other trucks were derailed. One truck capsized and the van and carriage are lying prone on the - opposite side of , the track. There were three paseeni gors in the train. A telephone has been installed T on , the scene and all gangs in the district i are being called to the locality. From Mauugaturoto to Waiotira the , railway authorities have handled the whole situation in a very expeditious manner, every help being given to passengers who have had to transfer , and also in the; moving of baggage and other goods.