MIXED TRAIN DERAILED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 8

MIXED TRAIN DERAILED.

NOETII AUCKLAND MISHAP.

TWO TRUCKS OVERTURNED.

OTHER VEHICLES LEAVE LINE

DELAY TO BOTH EXPRESSES

[BV TELEGIIA PH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAREI. Monday.

A serious mishap occurred to the mixed train which left Whangrtlei for Auckland at nine o'clock this morning. The train consisted of 18 trucks, one passenger carriage and a guard's van when it left Whangarei. The accident took place at a point one mile north of Taipulia, and about seven miles from Waiotira. A truck containing coal, located in the middle of the train, became derailed shortly after passing, through'the- Mareretu tunnel and as the train was negotiating a bend on a slight descent.

After the derailment the truck ran over the sleepers for about 300 yds. before the vehicles at the rear became derailed, those affected being the guard's van, the passenger carriage, a freight van and six trucks containing coal. Several trucks in front of tho first derailed truck, including one containing cattle, remained on the rails and were taken on to Taipulia. There were three passengers in the carriage and they were fortunately not injured. Two trucks were completely overturned and considerable damage was done to the wheels and undergear. Very little damage was done to tho remaining rolling stock. For a distance of about 100 yds., the sleepers were broken, the rails twisted and the track ploughed up. Passengers and mails on both the north and southbound expresses were transferred this afternoon with great expedition. The south-bound express returned to Whangarei after the transfer had been made, and arrived one hour and a-quar-ter after schedule time. Great credit is due to the officials in dealing with the position. /

A fully-equipped work train, with a largo gang of men, left Whangarei and arrived at the scene at 3.30 p.m. Work was immediately commenced on clearing the wreckage and restoring the line and the track was finally cleared at 11 p.m. Twelve months ago a similar type of accident, only less serious, occurred to a mixed train within a quarter of a mile of the scene of the present accident.

PASSENGERS FOR THE SOUTH. SECOND EXPRESS KEPT BACK. In order to provide a through connection for passengers and mails held up by the blockage of the line, the departure of the second express for Wellington was delayed 22 minutes last evening. Passengers and mails which left by the morning express from Whangarei were transferred at the scene of the mishap to the north-bound express which returned to Auckland, where it arrived 98 minutes behind schedule at 7.49 p.m. The express for Wellington, which usually leaves at 7.40 p.m., was despatched at 8.2 p.m.