EXCURSION TRAIN DERAILED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8038, 27 January 1906, Page 3

EXCURSION TRAIN DERAILED

rr.n PUESS ASSOCIATION W asoaki'i, January 20. A serious accident, fortunately unattended with loss of life or limb, oc-

eurrcd to an excursion (ruin returning to Wanganni from ilie llanera Bmul Contest hist night. The train left Hawcra with sixty excursionists, at 10.45, renching Momoliuki at 12.2(1 a.m.. As Ike (rain slowed down appreaching the platform the passengers experienced a lienvj' jolt, and on tlie train lieing pulled up it was found that the engine was off the line, and the three leading ears had also been derailed, the rails bci'ig bent and spread very badly. The occupants of the lend-

ing cars hud a narrow escape, and it is certain that but for the driver's promp action in applying the Westingliousc brakes something serious would have happened. The two people who were sitting on a platform were pitched off the ear to the side of the track, while a lad silting in u corner next a door had a leg grazed by the sharp end of 11 point rail, which had pierced through the floor and the seat of the car, curving round in front of (he lad. Other occupants escaped with nothing less than a fright The cause of the accident \ias probably due to Ihe car following the engine " jumping " the points and running on Ike side track. The engine was badly damaged, including a pair i.f wheels and an axle wrenched off, il being subsequently found under the middle of the leading ear. The gravel ballasting was ploughed up for a distance of ID yards. A relief tram with a gang of men was sent from \Vangaiuii, and arrived at 5 o'clock, the passengers eventually reaching here at (3.2(1.