TRAIN RUNS INTO SLIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 10

TRAIN RUNS INTO SLIP.

SENSATIONAL ACCIDENT. I ENGINE HANGS OVER CLIFF. DRIVER AND FIREMAN ESCAPE. SOUTH BOUND LIMITED BLOCKED [BT TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON.' Friday In the derailment of a goods train in the early hours of this morning on the Pukerua incline, about a mile from Paekakariki, the driver and fireman had miraculous escapes from death. The locomotive plunged into a slip and was precipitated half over a cliff above a rocky beach. It is believed that such a narrow escape has not previously been known in the railways service.

The goods train left Paekakaribi about 4.30 o'clock and commenced the ascent of Pukerua, 240 ft. higher, en route to Thorndon. The engine was travelling at an ordinary pace on the incline, and a few minutes after passing the first tunnel, came into. contact with a fair-sized slip, not sufficient in itself to derail an engine. Before it had passed the locality, however, there was another fall of earth and a number of boulders struck the engine. There was only a narrow clearance at the spot and' the engine could not get past, the boulders and earth forcing it through the embankment, .

The driver shut off steam and applied the brakes as soon as ho encountered the first fall of earth and, with the fireman, prepared to jump clear. The engine was struck too suddenly, however, and the driver was caught by the foot., while the fireman was thrown toward the cliff side of the engine. Here it was that both men were saved -'rorn death. The forepart of the engine •■;■ as projecting over the cliff when it came to a standstill, the impact causing the tool box to bo hurled through the window of the cab .to the beach below.

The driver, Mr. C. Southey, was injured in the loot where he was pinioned, but beyond a severe shaking in addition, he was nono the worse, and was able to proceed home.

The fireman, Mr. W. J. Gordon, who also resides at Thorndon, was not injured.

Trains arriving on either side of the derailment were held up. The first to arrive was the south-bound, limited, which left Auckland the night before. It was halted at Packakariki. The passengers were .regaled with refreshments and the railway station was thronged with eager spectators. In the meantime- a special train had left Wellington to pick up the limited's passengers, who walked round the debris and proceeded on their journey, arriving in Wellington at 20 minutes to one. Passengers carried their baggage and made frantic rushes for scats, many being obliged to stand.

A breakdowu gang which arrived from Wellington set to immediately, but itwas found that nothing could prevent the locomotive, a modern A.B. engine, from falling to the bank below. Beyond tho damage to the engine there will be no further loss.

The lino was clear and traffic was resumed at about four o'clock.