Death Faces Railwaymen In Timaru Cutting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18499, 27 June 1928, Page 1

Death Faces Railwaymen In Timaru Cutting.

GANGERS ON TROLLEY NARROWLY ESCAPED FROM TRACK OF EXPRESS. (Special to tlie “ Star.") TIMARU, June 27. CLINGING to a clav bank while an express train travelling at a high speed flashed past them, demolishing in ils path the trolley, off which they had thing themselves only a second before, two railway gangers' had the narrowest of escapes from death in the Caledonian Cutting, about a mile south of the Timaru railway station, yesterday afternoon.

The two men, J. 11. Simpson and A. E. Andrews, were proceeding to Timaru on a four-wheeled trolley and considered they had ample time to reach Timaru before the arrival of the express from the south, which was due at 4.18 p.m. When they were about half-way through the cutting close to the Caledonian grounds the sound of the onrushing express reached their ears, and a glance to the rear was sufficient to show that it was a matter of seconds between life and death. In the nick of time both men jumped from the trolley and jtist had time to flatten themselves against the wall of the cutting as the express rushed past. Seconds and inches separated the men from what must have lieen death. With terrific force the express struck the trolley, smashing it to pieces and hurling broken parts in every direction. The train was stopped promptly, and when it was ascertained that no one had been injured the journey was resumed.