DERAILMENT OF TRAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18189, 7 September 1922, Page 6

DERAILMENT OF TRAIN.

SEVERAL TRUCKS WRECKED. ESCAPE OF PASSENGERS. FRIGHTENED BUT UNHURT. A REMARKABLE ACCIDENT. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Wednesday. A narrow escape from a sericms disaster occurred this morning on the railway line near Ngaere, when several trucks of the mixed train which leaves New Plymouth a.t 7.50 a.m. for Palmcrston North, were derailed and piled on top of each other in a broken mass. Fortunately the passenger cars kept the rails, no one being injured. The train, which consisted of 26 loaded goods waggons, two passenger cars and a guard's van, left Stratford somewhat late. About a mile past Stratford the train has to run down an incline known as the Ngaere bank. The engine was proceeding down this at the usual pace, the brakes being slightly on, when a truck well back from the engine jumped the rails.

The train here runs through a cutting, the line being particularly dusty. Owing to this tho engine crew was unable to see the truck, which bumped along the sleepers for about 300 yds. When the driver noticed a truck was unduly jolting the brakes were applied, but it was too late, as the truck left the lino and eight trucks following also left the line, six being telescoped and piled up in a confused and tangled mass of broken and twisted woodwork and completely filling the outting, which is about 12ft. high. A large waggon known as a K waggon immediately in front of the passenger cars was partially derailed. This saved the passenger cai*s, which fortunately did not leave the rails though the passengers, numbering 30, mostly women and children bound for the Ngaere gardens, were thrown about by' the jolting and sudden stop and were much frightened. All of them escaped injury. The guard of the train, Mr. D. Myres, was collecting tickets in the front car.He said that the carriages rocked and iolted heavily, coming to a stop with a fearful grinding and crashing. The passengers were thrown about in confusion and much frightened, but were soon pacified. The engine crew comprised Messrs. Bateman (driver) and Arden (fireman). They covdd not give any reason for the accident excepting that it was caused by a, simple derailment. The train was mot travelling unusually fast, but the rear waggons were obscured in the dust which prevented tho driver from seeing the derailed truck sooner. They were very relieved when they found ftie passenger cars intact, as it appeared from the engine that every car behind the derailed one must have been smashed.

Relief gangs were immediately on the scene, and steps were taken to clear the debris from the line by means of cranes. It should be clear to-morrow. , In the meanwhile trains are backing to the scene of the accident and transferring passengers. Considering the nature of the mishap the line is not extensively damaged.