TRAIN ACCIDENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10440, 20 April 1912, Page 8

TRAIN ACCIDENT.

ENGINE AND WAGGONS DERAILED. [From Cur CoiiitEsroxDENT.] ASHBURTON, April 20. The engine and ten wageons of the Mount Somers train left the line at Hackthorne Road three miles above Wcsternekl this morning. About ten chains of line was torn up, but with the exception of a broken axle to a waggon no further damage is reported. Drags have left Ash burton to bring in the passengers. The passengers, about fifty in all, with the mails which were aboard the train when the accident occurred this morning, arrived in Ashburton in drags just on the stroke of one o'clock to-day, after a very enjoyable drive in the air and bright sunshine. The cause of the accident was the breaking cf an axle of a twelve-ton truck filled with lime just as the train was about a milo on the hillwards end of the Hackthorne Road. Ten other trucks were derailed, the road was badly cut up and the rails twisted and spread out to a considerable extent. Beyond this no damago was done and the shock was so slight that when the train was brought to a standstill the passengers were completely surprised to see that there had been an accident. Some of the youthful passengers started on foot for Ashburton but they were quickly told that conveyances were being telephoned for to come out from Ashburton. Some were conveyed in by motor-car and the balance as above stated in drags. The Mount Somers branch of the line from Ashburton was opened about twentyeight years ago and it is gratifying to say that to-day's accident, which is of the lightest consequence, is the only mishap which has ever occurred.