TRAIN SMASH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19946, 2 November 1934, Page 5

TRAIN SMASH

ROLLING STOCK DAMAGED

CREWS UNINJURED

By Telegraph - Press Association

HAMILTON, November 1

By a lucky break of fortune at least five persons escaped death, when the early morning Auckland—Frankton mixed train crashed into the rear of a goods train which was just moving off at the Te Rapa station, at 6.30. Travelling at a fast pace, the engine of the southbound train crashed its way through the guard's van, threw three badly damaged trucks completely off the line, and smashed the following carriage to matchwood, finishing up on its side, almost torn in half. Happy coincidences marked the escape of five persons. The enginedriver and fireman were almost imprisoned in their cab, and amazed eye-witnesses by crawling out unharmed.

The guard of the stationary train was about to board his van when he saw the train looming up. He jumped for safety, and although flying pieces of iron and woodwork shot around him, he, too, was uninjured. A man and woman who occupied the telescoped carriage Immediately following the engine, had, a few minutes before, decided to shift to a carriage further back. The happy change of mind undoubtedly saved their lives. Although considerably shaken, none of the few passengers was injured, and willing hands assisted them from the carriages.

The scene of the crash, 100 yards north of the station buildings, was one of confusion as the light became more distinct. Nine trucks were badly smashed. The engine passed completely through the guard’s van. smashing it to matchwood. It lay on its side, the bogey of the carriage smashed completely oil. The boiler was badly split and dented all around. A huge heap of debris accumulated on the shattered trucks, upon which was impinged the carriage which immediately followed. The travelling engine piled over it, a mere skeleton, without wheels, chassis, and windows, all having been smashed to atoms.

One box waggon was tossed completely off the line, while piled on top was a confused mess. The third tore up the track to come to rest on its side alongside the others. The most fortunate man -was Percy Johnson, guard of the goods train. Shunting operations completed, he gave the driver the right of way from half-way down the train, and as the engine commenced to move walked down the line towards the van. Thirty yards from his objective he was startled to hear the approach of a fast train from the north, and before he could take action in the thick fog, the collision occurred.

The guard of the Auckland train was Mr L. Thompson.