SENSATIONAL COLLISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20504, 4 March 1930, Page 8

SENSATIONAL COLLISION.

CIRCUS CAGES INVOLVED. STRUCK BY THE LIMITED. TIGERS NEARLY LET LOOSE. INCIDENT AT NGARUAWAHIA. Two tigers were almost let loose in Ngaruawahia last evening when the southbound limited express collided with a train of circus waggons at the level crossing just north of the town. The express struck the sixth of a string of eight waggons, which were being drawn by an elephant, and threw it off the line, only quick work by the circus attendants preventing the two animals from breaking Ipose. The accident occurred on the crossing juiit opposite the Waipa Hotel, the circus vehicles being drawn toward the town after the opening of a performance down by the river bank. The express, which was travelling at a fair speed, came round the curve off the bridge over the Waikato River and struck the tigers' cage, cutting the string of vehicles in two and throwing the cage clear to the side of the line. Immediately there was a scene of confusion, the animals in the other cages, including bears and monkeys, creating a din with shrill cries and deep growls. None of them was injured in any way, but the fright they received was sufficient to rouse them to a pitch of great excitement.

It was fortunate that the tigers, which were also not injured, were too dazed at first to make a strong bid for escape, as the cage had been considerably damaged, and much of the woodwork was splintered and torn loose. - The body of the cage was ripped from the wheels, and had the tigers made a determined effort it would have been extremely difficult to hold them in check.

The attendants immediately rushed to the damaged vehicle and patched it up as best they could, -while others procured ropes and lengths of wood. The structure was speedily bound together sufficiently to hold the animals, which after a short time recovered their senses and showed unaccustomed ferocity, fortunately too late for them to do any harm.

The cage was righted and placed on a sledge, which was lowered to the station yard together with the remainder of the animals, which were all affected in varying degrees by the incident.

After the animals had been taken to the station yard, they gradually settled down, although the growls of the tigers continued long into the night. This morning the circus will move on to Pukekohe.

The express was delayed for about a quarter of an hour at Ngaruawahia by the collision, although the engine was not damaged by the impact.