Railway Collision at Mataura.

Southland Times, Issue 18019, 15 December 1902, Page 2

Railway Collision at Mataura.

A railway collision, fortunately unattended with serious results, occurred about 6.10 p.m, on Saturday evening at the Mataura station. From information to hand it appears that the 4.20 passenger and goods train from Invercargill to Clinton had to pass a goods train at Mataura. 'The latter was put on the side lino at the station, and the platform line loft clear for the incoming train from Invercargill. By some mistake the points were not set aright, and the passenger train,going at about 10 miles an hour, smashed into the stationary goods train. It seems a miracle that no lives were lost, though several of the passengers were severely shaken. The driver of the Invercargill train was thrown off his feet and a good deal bruised, but ho was about again yesterday. Both the the engines were crumpled up in the front parts, but otherwise were not seriously damaged, and they will be brought to Invercargill for repairs. Two waggons on the Invercargill train were thrown off the line and damaged, and three others slightly damaged. A train was sent from Gore to take the passengers north to Clinton, reaching the end of the journey at 10.10 p.m., or about H hours behind the usual time. The lino was cleared, and no impediment now exists to the through traffic.