ENGINE STRIKES SLIP

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3802, 31 August 1936, Page 4

ENGINE STRIKES SLIP

ACCIDENT ON MAIN TRUNK LINE.

SEVERAL PASSENGERS INJURED.

A serious accident occurred to the Main Trunk express train travelling to Wellington on Sunday morning. The train had passed through Te Awamutu at about 6.30 on Saturday evening, and all went well until just after passing Paraparamu, twelve hours later, when the engine struck a slip ou the line and crashed down an embankment.

A second-class carriage immediately behind the engine was smashed to matchwood and the four following carriages left the rails. The passengers in the front carriage had a miraculous escape. Although many of them suffered from abrasions, only five were injured sufficiently seriously to be sent to the Wellington Hospital. The engine driver was Mr G. A. Wilsher, and the fireman Mr G. Cooke, both of Taihape. Their escape was even more remarkable. The locomotive came to rest on.its side burled in earth up to the floor of the engine cab, out ot which they crawled without a scratch or scald from the escap nig steam. The injured were: Mr A. F. Bush, retired, aged 83 years, of Buller Street, Picton, fracture of both legs, condition serious; Mr A. F. Bush, jun., of Taumarunui. abrasions to leg; Mr V. Riley, of Ohiro Road, Wellington, injured pelvis, condition satisfactory; Mr C. J. Rogers, school teacher, of Taneatua, head injuries, lacerated right foot, cuts to hands, condition satisfactory; Mr F. W. Reeves, commercial traveller, of 46 Naseby Street, Christchurch, injury to left leg and abrasions z to face. Mr Bush jun., and Mr Reeves were able to leave the hospital after they had received treatment. The Wellington free ambulance sent two ambulances to the scene.

Due to the blockage on the Main Trunk line, the limited express was despatched from Wellington last night to travel via the Wairarapa section to Palmerston, an additional distance of about 50 miles. This will necessitate haulage over the Rimutaka incline, and the breaking up of the train, which is not now expected at Auckland until about noon, 2 hours 20 minutes behind schedule.