RUNAWAY TRAIN

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 31

RUNAWAY TRAIN

OVERCOME BY FUMES, SYDNEY, July 10. A goods train bound from Sydney to Werirs Creek, got out of control and was derailed near Mnmirundi. The fireman, John Heffeman, was killed, and the driver Holt, was sent to the hospital suffering from severe bums. The train was completely wrecked. It is stated that the driver and fireman were overcome by fumes in a tunnel. The train dashed several miles at a high i speed with them lying unconscious in the cab of the engine.

TRAIN GAINS TERRIFIC SPEED. SYDNEY. July 11. The accident at Murrumundi badly die* located the northern traffic. The track was badly damaged, being blocked by the wreckage of 46 trucks. Forty were destroyed or severely damaged. The guard was unaware there was anything wrong with the tram crew until the pair left the tunnel, when it commenced to race down the grade passing the station where it should naive stopped at 60 miles an hour. He applied the brakes, but tha train continued at a terrific speed until it waa derailed. Holt states that he feft being stifled and remembered nothing more till the train stopped and he found himself tying across the fireman's body.'