DERAILMENT AT SHAG POINT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12420, 1 August 1902, Page 5

DERAILMENT AT SHAG POINT.

OFFICIAL FINDINGS,

On Wedneeday evening Iho Oamwu. Pahnerstori train, met with an accident just after leaving Shag Point railway station, and several waggons were derailed and two passenger cars partially so. The train was composed of some- 25 waggons, the two cars, and a, van; most of the trucks were empty and there were only two passengers in the first carriage, and fortunately neither was injured in either way. The guard, noticing Hie trucks leaving the lino, put down the brakes, and managed to make his way along irom vehicle to vehicle, and uncoupled the first derailed truck, leaving the. front portion of the train free. The engine-driver pulled the rest of the train up about a mile farther on. JNo damage of any consequonco was caused, either to the permanent way or the waggons. A special train proceeded' to the scene with the chief engineer upon receipt of the news in town, and tho derailed waggons were cleared from the track and the partially derailed ears pulled on to the line again.in time to allow the ordinary trains to'pass, through. .Messrs doom and Beattie who worn holding an inquiry into the Port Chalmers accident, having, inspected the scan? of the Shag Point accident, hold an inquiry into this aim yesterday. It seems that when the train was some miles away from Shag Point tho cross pin in the'buffer of one of the waggons broke; as tho pieces were found.on the track. As tho niri is tho rest-for tho buffer connecting hook, tho ■breaking allowed the hook to drop down, and tho waggon waa time connected to the one preceding it only by .the two side chains; tins would give about 18 inches mor'o way between the vehicles, and when tho tram slackened at Shag Point the waggons I naturally closed up, the loose buffer hook 'being forced under the truck in front of it and thus, as tlm train moved off, the truck ■was levered off the lino. Tho train was dragged this way for nearly a mile, and then iho other trucks were derailed as stated. Iheso facte being proved to tho satisfaction of- Messrs Coom and JWttie, they are returning a report accordingly. Tho inquiry into tho accident on the Port Chalmers lino on Saturday afternoon, when a waggon loft the rails 'between Sawyers' 'Bay and St. Leonards, was also concluded last evening, and the report to bo furnished to the Minister is that tho accident -'was caused through a broken waggon spring, this having been the conclusion arrived at by Messrs Coom and Beattie. .