EXPRESS TRAIN NEARLY WRECKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13097, 9 February 1906, Page 5

EXPRESS TRAIN NEARLY WRECKED.

OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE

LINE.

A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Dvnedin-, Thursday. What appeals to have been a deliberate attempt lo wreck the second express train to Invenargill was made on Wednesday night. dust before reaching a small bridge about a mile from Waiwera the passengers were startled by a heavy jolt. The brakes were applied, but before the train stopped another jolt was felt. An examination showed that the first jolt was caused by a fish-plate being stuck end up between two lengths <»!' rails. The second was caused by a mile-post laid across the rails. This was jainincc in the bogie wheels of the engine, ami it took some 15 minutes to extricate it. Hut for the promptitude of the driver in pulling up it. is. probable the second obstruction would have thrown the train off the tails. Tne mile-post was lashed with wire, ana secured to wedges driven into the sleepers. The railway at the place where the incident occurred runs through a flat. It is said that two horsemen galloped away just before the train passed, but the police tire inclined to think that the act was the work of boys. The method of fixing the obstruction, however indicates older heads and some experience.