VAN DERAILED

Southland Times, Issue 18965, 12 June 1923, Page 5

VAN DERAILED

A LUCKY ESCAPE ACCIDENT ON NORTH ISLAND EXPRESS (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 11. Owing to the postal van on the northbound express being derailed and capsizing, it was not until 5.30 on Saturday evening that the Auckland and other expresses reached Wellington. The effect of the mishap was quickly realised by the Traffic Department which promptly arranged an extensive motor service to Johnsonville and enabled the passengers to be brought to town. The postal car was badly smashed. It is stated that a portion of the drawgear broke, causing another portion to drop, and this derailed the van. The north-bound trains were considerably delayed, and all the suburban traffic in that direction had to be suspended. It is generally admitted that it was extremely fortunate no further damage was caused, and that it proved a lucky escape from a very serious accident. The cause of the accident is to be investigated at a Departmental inquiry tomorrow. The immediate cause of the mishap is believed to have been due to the breaking of a coupling, in itself not a happening of particularly serious owing to the fact that the automatic application of the Westinghouse brake is sufficient to bring the train to an immediate standstill. In the case of Saturday’s accident, however, the point to be determined is what caused the derailment of the postal van immediately behind the front engine. It is understood that evidence on this matter will form one of the chief subjects for investigation at to-morrow’s inquiry, which will be conducted by Messrs E. T. Murison, locomotive engineer, Petone, C. T. Jeffreys, district engineer, Wellington, and W. P. Williams, inspector attached to the head office of the Railways Department.