ACCIDENT TO RAIL CAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 9 October 1936, Page 13

ACCIDENT TO RAIL CAR

EXPLANATION OF CAUSE •AN UNEXPECTED GUST DANGEROUS PART OF LINE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Tile'representative of the Press Association at the scene of the rail car accident said the rail car, after leaving the raili ploughed its way about 2&yda before coming to rest on its side. The permanent way was not damaged. Blood-stained glass from the shattered windows was strewn over the grass, anil [toots of oil and grease marked the track of the car from the rails. One window was splashed with the yoke of eggs which a passenger had in His luggage. . . , • < The condition of the injured is repotted to be satisfactory. The general manager of railways, Mr. G. H. Mackley, said that the cause of the accident was the velocity of the wind, Which had come in an unexpectedly sudden gust. During a gale which blew with exceptional seventy on a trial run some time ago, note was taken of the effect of the wind on the car s performance and construction, and the Mamari was adjusted to make allowances for a severe gale by placing the centre of gravity low in the structure. This point in the run from Masterton Wfa a dangerous one, as a steam train was blown off the line some years ago. The desirability of lengthening the breakwind is being investigated. The driver. Mr. V. Schroder, has been on the run for nine years. The rail car will be taken to the workshops for adjustment and repair. Weight for weight, the car was designed to stand up to a greater pressure of wind than an ordinary railway carriage. Mr. Mackley referred to the dispatch with which the special train was sent from Cross Creek with ambulance equipment. The accident occurred at 8.35 a.m., and the special train left at 8.59 a.m."