PANIC IN A TUNNEL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 299, 27 January 1910, Page 3

PANIC IN A TUNNEL.

RACE TRAIX HELD UP. PASSEXGERS FEAR SUFFOCATION. RUN FOR TIIEIR LIVES, DRIVERS AND FIREMEN PROSTRATED. An exciting scene was witnessed on the Riinutaka range on Saturday (says' the Xew Zealand Times). The early race train from Wairarapa was crowded with passengers, and the long line of carriages put a severe tax upon the en-gine-power. The big Fell engines fought their way slowly up the incline belching fire and smoke, but ivhen they got into the second tunnel, where the gradient is 1 in 15, they stopped dead and could make no headway. After an ineffectual struggle the train was backed into the open again and an attempt made to get up enough steam to carry the carriages' through the tunnel. After another tremendous struggle the great engines came to a standstill. They tried again and again to shift ther burden without result.

Meanwhile the passengers in the overheated carriages were subjected to a terrible ordeal. The pressure created by the engines caused tho windows' to rattle ominotisly and the carriages were permeated by a horrid stench of sulphurous smoke. The cry went up that they would all be suffocated, and a number of people opened the doors and rushed choking to the nearest exit from tne tunnel.

Eventually the train was again backed out, when it was found that some of the drivers and firemen were completely prostrated. They were taken from the engines and laid alongside the line until they had recovered. The train was then uncoupled and divided in two halves, one remaining on the incline while the other proceeded to the summit. A delay of an hour was occasioned ■ to the racegoers and to the other trains proceeding along the line.