DERAILMENT OF TRAIN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16074, 10 March 1923, Page 2

DERAILMENT OF TRAIN.

MISHAP O# ARTHUR’S PASS LINE

The accident to the express train near Arthur’s Pass appears to have bceii dud to an unlocked set of points two or three hundred yards on the Arthur’s Pass side of Cora Lynn station. The train was proceeding at a low speed through a cutting, and was slowing, up for the station; There is a loop-line at the spot, and the points Connecting this with the main line caused tho trouble. The occupants of the “smoker” had a nerve-wracking experience. They included Mr. Frank Hill and child, of Riccarton; Mr. W. Bohan, of Christchurch; Mr. N. Pigou, of the Bank of New South Wales, Westport, who is under notice of transfer to Ashburton; Messrs. J. C. Stubbs, J’. W. Hannan, Ramsey Reid, and Frederic Larnont, all of Greymouth.

“Wo were nearer to death,” said Mr. Stubbs, who described tho experioneo as resembling the effects of an earthquake and a landslide.

Mr. Hannan was in tho front portion of t,Ee carriage, and could scarcely have jcscaped had the vehicle telescoped. Mr. Hannan said he glanced out of the window, and saw waggons moving past the carriage, which gave him tho impression that a collision had occurred.

■ Mr. Lamont stated that the passengers were suddenly jolted forward in thoir scats as though the brakes had been applied too sharply. A swaying motion quickly commenced, accompanied by a grinding noise as if the carriage were being crushed. Every moment it appeared as though the carriage would capsize, and everyone jumped to their feet ready for anything that might happen. There was no panic, and a move for the door was. not made until flio train came to a standstill. Mr. Reid, who was nearest the door, attempted to open it, but strenuous efforts were necessary, as the carriage was plainly “out of plumb." The front entrance was hopelessly jammed, as the telescoped trucks were piled up against it.

The' comment of the driver was brief, but to the point. “If.it had not been for the brake," he said, “we might all have gone to Kingdom Come! ’ ’