MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK MISHAP.

DERAILMENT AT OTAKI.

NO PASSENGERS INJURED.

DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday. When steaming slowly into Otaki station this morning the south-bound Main Trunk express left the rails, tearing up portion of the track and causing a complete dislocation of railway traffic. The locomotive, postal van and a second-class smoking carriage were derailed. Fortunately no one was injured. The express was running on time, being due to pass through Otaki about ten o'clock. The engine became derailed at a spot where the railway track crosses a public highway, the derailment being attributed to heavy road metal spread round the rails on the thoroughfare. The train was travelling at a slow speed not only because it was entering a station, but also because surfacemen and platelayers were working in the vicinity. There are stringent restrictions against fast travelling through localities where such work is in progress As the engine left the rails it dragged after it the postal van and the first carriage. The conspicuous promptitude with which the driver acted brought the train to a standstill without any undue jolt within a remarkably short distance. There is a low bank beside the track where the derailed rolling stock stopped, and against it the van and the carriage lay on their sides at an angle of about 45deg., the presence of the bank no doubt preventing them from toppling completely over. The engine did not lose its balance, but was buried axle deep in the soil. The accident resulted in a complete dislocation of railway traffic during the day and passengers and luggage had to be transhipped round the scene of the mishap. A breakdown gang and equipment were despatched to the spot without delay. The construction of a loop line was concentrated upon and this was completed in time for the evening limited express for the North to pass over, the jolt being barely noticeable. Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P., was a passenger on the derailed 'express and occupied a seat in a carriage near the centre of the train. He said that the train was moving very slowly at the time of the accident. There was a slight bump and even then the majority of the passengers were unaware that anything untoward had occurred until they alighted and saw for themselves what had happened. At the rear of the train the jolt caused by the iudden stop was almost negligible. A passenger who occupied a seat in the derailed carriage stated that the passengers were remarkably calm when the carriage left the rails. No windows were smashed and there was' nothing in the way of panic.