A Sensational Railway Scene.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1793, 10 February 1886, Page 2

A Sensational Railway Scene.

ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON THE WEL LINGTON-WAIKAUAFA LINE.

NARROW ESCAPE OKA PASSENGER TRAIN BEING WRECKED. Another narrow escape occurred on the Wellington and Master tun Railway on Saturday. Just as the afternoon tram from the Wairarapa was getting through the first tunnel beyond the scene of the o'd accident, (says the Post) the gripping geir of the Fell engine gave way and the train commenced to run backward! The brakes were quickly applied, but refused to act until the tram had gone back about 25 yards. The tram was brought to a stands,nl m the tunnel, and then ensued a s.;eue which i- described as highly sensational Men aril women jumped from the platforms of the carriages, women and children screamed, and general confusion prevailed. Those who let 1 the train, believing that it would go back still further, and probably capsize near the spot where the great mishap of September the nth, 1880, took place, found themselves jammed between the sidt s of the carnage* and those of the tunnel, and there is not the slightest doubt that if the train had moved a few feet either way thev would have been .crushed to death. Fortunately, the enginedriver recognised the position of affairs, and did not move the tram nntill all the passengers had regained their seats The tunnel was clothed in darkness, and to add to this thick volumes of smoke issued from the locomotive's funnel and filled the tunnel, almost choking those who lumped out or were standing on the platforms. The passangers who remained in the carnages kept the windows closed, and thus escaped one of (he two dangers which threatened those who were in the open tunnel When it was found that the passong-rs were back info the train, the latter was gently back*,! out ol the tunnel, and the guard's van was sent down to Cross’ Creek Station to obtain assistance. No time was lost in despatching another Fell engine to the spot where the train was standing, and after half an hour's delay the train continued its journey and arrive! in Wellington without further mishap. In jumping off the platform one of three Catholic clergymen who were on board, hurt his hand severely, and several other passengers also received bruises on various parts of the body. The escape was certainly a narrow one. The tram waa a long one, and had the brakes refused to act there is not the least doubt the engine, carriages, and waggons would have rushed back and been capsized at the carve between the tunnel and the shelter fence, precipitating the passengers down a gaily several hundred feet deep. An official inquiry will be held in tbs coarse of a lew days,