SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14682, 16 November 1909, Page 2

SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

—, ■» ■■ — CONDUCTORS' PERILOUS PLIGHT. A FORTUNATE ESCAPE. (Per United Press Association.) CHBISTCHURCH, November 15. A number of tram conductors, returning to C'hristchurch from the Riccarton Racecourse on a double-decked car on Saturday had a sensational experience of the power of electricity. One of the arms at the electiic pole near the Sockburn new shed had bent under the strain of the trolley wire, and when the car passed under it the trolley polo was prosed down until it came in contact with one of (he steel guard.-, on lop of the car. Immediately there was a short circuit, and tho trolley wire fused, giving forth a big electric ilame,' and burnt through, one length falling to the ground, and the other remaining in contact with the car. The car was alive, and the conductors, who were on the top of the cat, with considerable calmness, stood perfectly still and sway from any metal. A wire that fell to earth touched one of the rails, and in an instant burnt through it. Motorinspcclor Richardson, with promptitude, drew on his rubber gloves and freed the car of the wire, thus allowing the conductors, to- vacate their dangerous position. Under tho superintendence of Inspector Bateman the trolley wire was repaired in a rem-irkably short time. Tho damage done was slight, but it is certain that had there been passengers in the car at the time of the accident the result would have been serious, since the passengers would probably have stampeded, and in the panic and endeavours to climb down would have touched the metal railings and received the force of the electric current.