TRAIN SMASH ON MAIN TRUNK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18496, 23 June 1928, Page 6

TRAIN SMASH ON MAIN TRUNK.

STOCK KILLED WHEN TRUCKS TELESCOPED. Per Press Association. PUKEKOHE, June 23. Through a goods train bound from Auckland being derailed shortly after six o’clock this morning about two miles north of Pukekohe, thirty-three trucks piled up in an indescribable mess. Six trucks laden with cattle were telescoped, a number of the animals being killed, and others were in a dying condition, while a number had broken backs and legs, necessitating destruction. One waggon left the rails about a quarter of a mile south,, of the scene and was dragged this distance, finally the others telescoping it. The railway track -was torn up, and three chains of rails were twisted and the sleepers broken. A gang was engaged extricating the unfortunate animals, the scene being a terrible one. All trains are held up. The Welling-ton-Auckland ordinary express preceded the ill-fated goods. Passengers and mails are being transferred at Pukekohe and Paerata. It is expected that the line will be cleared to-night. TWENTY-TWO CATTLE ARE KILLED IN SMASH. (Special to the " Star.”) PUKEKOHE. June 23. The thirty-six upturned waggons involved, some on their sides, others on end, and some reduced to matchwood, present an appalling picture. The waggon next to the engine was of the enclosed type, and was followed by six waggons containing forty-eight prime oxen, then eighteen trucks of coal, four trucks of timber, arid various others, making a complete train of fifty waggons. Evidently the waggon next to the engine caused the disaster. Over a quarter of a mile south of the scene the waggon left the line and passed over a small bridge, but in negotiating an easy bend on to another bridge over the Paerata creek, the driver (Currie) noticing the waggon, applied the brakes, with the result that the following waggons telescoped. The cattle in the trucks suffered most, some of the animals being killed instantaneously, but a number being precipitated over a ten-foot embankment into a swamp, escaped injury. Several were found in a dying condition amongst the wreckage, while several had broken backs and legs. They were soon dispatched by the police. Twenty-two cattle are dead. Coal and timber are strewn in all directions. Relief gangs were dispatched to the scene immediately to remove the wreckage and repair the line. Some of the waggons cannoned into a telephone pole, wrecking the line. Communication with Auckland is interrupted. Every available mode of transport at Pukekohe was requisitioned by the Railway Department to convey passengers between Pukekohe and Paerata for the north and south. Officials consider it will take all day to clear the wreckage, and it will be late to-night before the line is safe for traffic.