TWO TRAINS COLLIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16327, 6 September 1916, Page 9

TWO TRAINS COLLIDE.

• ACCIDENT AT PUTARURU.

NO PASSENGERS HURT,

ENGINES AND TRUCKS DAMAGED.

A ootusiojf, resulting in two engines being slightly damaged and 15 trucks being seriously damaged, occurred between two trains at the Putaruru railway station, on the Frankton-Rotorua line, on Monday evening. Fortunately tho long line of tracks attached to tho engines acted as a buffer for the passenger carriages, and the passengers only received a severe shaking. Putaruru station is about 55 miles from Frankton, and 32 miles from Rotorua. The collision was between a goods and passenger train, which follows the express from Frankton to Rotorua, and a train, with passengers and goods, from Rotorua. The Frankton-bound train left Rotorua at 3.30 p.m., and was drawn up on a siding at Putaruru, awaiting the passing of the Rotorua-bound train. When approaching the station, however, the latter, which was drawn by a 75-ton engine, followed by a long string of {rucks and two carnages, failed to tako the points, and crashed headon into the waiting tnvin.

The front wheels of the largo engine were thrown off the line, and the cowcatcher was damaged. The only damage sustained by the smaller engine was a broken buffer. When the impact occurred the trucks attached to each train, immediately behind the engines, were piled up, one waggon being completely telescoped. Many of the passengers in the carriages, which weie at the rear of the trains, were thrown to the floor, hut escaped injury.

Considerable damage was done to the goods contained in the trucks, especially the waggon which was telescoped. This waggon and tho one that telescoped it contained the household furniture and effects of a family which was removing to Auckland. Most of tho goods were entirely mined, and the owner will be a heavy 'loser. A valuable piano placed in the waggon immediately behind the engine had a remarkable escape from destruction. *

Workmen were quickly on the scene to clear away tho debris, and an engine was obtained from Rotorua to take the train bound for the thermal centre on to It arrived thero shortly after 11 p.m. The train from Rotorua to Frankton was taken to its destination by an engine requisitioned at Putaruru, arriving at Frankton at 10.45 p.m.

An inquiry into the cause of the accident is being conducted at Putaruru by the railway officials.