HEAD-ON SMASH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19985, 18 December 1934, Page 11

HEAD-ON SMASH

GOODS TRAINS MEET IN CUTTING

FIREMEN INJURED By Telegraph—Press Association STRATFORD, December 17. The first accident on the Stratford Main Trunk ‘Line occured to-day near Pohokura, when the 5.36 a.m. train from Stratford crashed head on into a special goods train coming towards here. The drivers of both trains escaped unhurt, but the firemen, F. H, D. Quayle (Stratford) and. E. L. Campion (New Plymouth), were injured. Quayle suffered a fracture of the right collarbone and severe bruises to the chest, and Campion an injured right ankle and a broken bone in a foot. Both are progressing favourably. The crash occurred this side of Whangamomona tunnel, about three miles past Pohokura. Had the trains met in the tunnel itself there would have been little chance for the men in the cabs of both trains. Immediately on receipt of the news, the Stratford ambulance was despatched to Pohokura. It arrived at the station to find the injured men ready to be brought to Stratford, their injuries having been attended by the District Nurse from Whangamomona. Eleven waggons and both engines were derailed. A breakdown train was sent from Wanganui in an endeavour to clear the line in time for the passage of the Auckland express to-night to avoid transhipping passengers and mails. The line is badly torn up, and as the collision occurred in a cutting, great difficulty will be experienced in righting matters. It is impossible to build a side track round the wreckage, and the distance the debris has to be carried will make the task a long one.