MAIN TRUNK BLOCKED.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17397, 23 June 1928, Page 5

MAIN TRUNK BLOCKED.

35 WAGONS DERAILED.

AT KARAKA, NEAR PUKEKOHE.

THREE CHAINS OF LINE TORN UP The stationmaster of Thames, Mr Carroll, received information at 10.30 this morning that a serious derailment had' taken place on the Auckland-Frankton section at Karaka, a few miles from Tukekohe. At the time the information was received it was not known how the accident occurred, but it is surmised that a slip came down.

The goods train that leaves Frank--ton for Auckland at 1.20 .a.m. apparently ran into a slip, vith the result that 35 wagons were derailed, and three chains of the permanent way were torn up. . * The telegraph poles alongside tne line were also brought •down and the wires broken, thus cutting off all communication both to the north and south. Word was only got through to Frankton at 10 a.m. Auxiliary services have been organised, and are now running to the slips from both ends.

A TERRIBLE SCENE

«CATTLE KILLED AND INJURED

WAGONS TELESCOPED

'(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PUKEKOHE, June 23. The through goods train bound to. .Auckland was derailed shortly after -six o'clock this morning, about two -jniles north of Pukekohe. Thirty-three trucks were piled in an indescribable mess, six trucks laden with cattle were telescoped, a number of animals being killed, others are -i n a dying condition, while a" number have broken, backs and legs, necessitating their destruction.- ( One wagon left the rails about . a quarter,of a mile south of the scene, -and was dragged this'distance; finally -the others telescoped it. . ' "The railway track was torn up for three chains, the rails being, twisted •and }the sleepers broken. A gang ig now engaged extricating the unfortunate animals. The scene rjs a.terrible one. >, All trains-are heia up between Wellington 1 and Auckland. The ordinary * express preceded the ill-fated goods -train. Passengers and mails are being transferred at Pukekohe and Paerata. It is expected the line will be cleared to-night.