EXCITING RAILWAY INCIDENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 229, 16 January 1877, Page 2

EXCITING RAILWAY INCIDENT.

As the mail train left Sydney on the Great Southern Railway on F.viday, December 22, one of the carriages was occupied by Mr. W. H. Colls, formerly of Yass, Mr. .John Lawless, a stranger, a lady, who had a baby with her, and two other men, one of whom was Mr. Holloway, wlio was going to Young on some theatrical expedition. They were quietly discussing the topics of tlie day until they passed the Haslein's Creek Station. Then it was discovered thai the interior of the carriage was on fire. Their consternation may be better imagined than described. The train (says the Yass Covrkr) was was travelling at full speed, but that did not prevent the stranger from jumping out through the window, which caused him serious injuries, though none of his bones were fractured. The lady became excited and frantic ; she threw her child tln-ough the window, and was attempting to follow it when prevented by the male passengers. At this time, through some unaccountable exertion, Mr. Colls got on the roof of the burning carriage, and called lustily for assistance. The passengers in the other carriages picked up the alarm, and by that means the engine-driver learnt the position of affairs, and stopped the train-. The woman, at this time, became insensible, and was in that position rescued from the flames. The baby was searched for and found uninjured. Mr. Colls, Mr. Holloway, and some of the other passengers were slightly injured by the flames. It seems that the showman carried with Mm some limelight or other combustibles, which ignited spontaneously and so imperilled the lives of the passengers. The carriage was so much damaged as to be detached for repairs.