SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Wairarapa Age, 21 March 1929, Page 5

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

ENGINE PLUNGES INTO FLOOD WATERS VAIN SEARCH FOR FIREMAN \ DUNEDIN, March 20 i All traffic on the Central Otago line ■was cancelled to-day, between Wingatnui and Ranfurly, on account of a serious subsidence between Taioma and Salisbury and a small slip near Hini don. The Hindon slip has isolated forty wagons loaded with livestock, [and gangs of men were this morning endeavouring to so far clear the line as to enable the stock to be returned to its owners. The Salisbury subsidence is serious in every way, the more so as a man is missing. The line collapsed, leaving the rails in the air for about a chain and on to these unsupported rails in pitch dark, somewhere about 10 o’clock, last night’s engine ran and plunged into a hole 25ft. deep, with rushing water below. It was a goods train that left Ranfurly at 1.5, a heavy train with two engines, these being separated by three wagons. As the foremost of the two engines got on to the rail, it became detached and wenit to the bottom. Driver Pullar and Guard Chave went down with the engine, but in some fortunate way fell clear, escaping with minor injuries which gave these men a shock but did not incapacitate them. Fireman C. Tuck disappeared, and though the keenest search was at once instituted, and was continued by relief parties sent to the scene, has not yet been found. The train was going very slowly at the time of the mishap. With their experience of previous floods, Taieri farmers in most instancies removed their stock to high land, but some ‘dock losses are reported. Relief measures are being instituted

in Dundin and the local papers are opening lists.—(P.A.) PINNED UNDER ENGINE BODY OF FIREMAN FOUND DUNEDIN, March 20. Charles Tuck, fireman of the railway engine which plunged into a gap in the line between Taioma and Salisbury, was killed, being caught under the engine when it turned on its side. To recover the body, an oxy-acetylene plant had to be dispatched to,the spot to cut away portion of the tender.—(P.A.) DELUGE AT OAMARU HEAVIEST RECORDED FOR YEARS OAMARU, March 20. Following a deluge -of rain yesterday, a Fire Brigade engine was engaged up to 2.30 o’clock this morning, and again all day to-day, in pumping Water out of the cellars and basements of a number of Oamaru business premises and from inundated parts of the town. Stocks of merchandise suffered considerable damage and also, it is feared grain stored in ha/rbour'sheds. A number of houses in low-lowing portions of the town were flooded to their window sills and damage to roads and footpaths is extensive. A few retaining walls collapsed and several subsidences occurred in different parts of the town. The flower beds in a portion of the public gardens were scoured out and a footbridge was carried away. The rainfall was the heaviest for years, 6.16 inches being recorded for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m.. To this may be added 43 points reported up to 9 a.m. yesterday, bringing the total to 6.59 inches. No single month during the past five years has reached this figure, the nearest month’s fall being for February, 1925, when 5.29 inches were recorded. Reports from the country show that the deluge fell over an extensive area, but beyond minor washouts on the roads no serious damage in the country districts is reported.—(P.A.)