HOW THE MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS WAS SAVED.
(Per Precs Association.)
TAIHAPE, May 15
The scene of the crash reminds one of a huge pile of refuse and timber at a forsaken sawmill, spiced here and there with protruding wheels a»d pieces of ironwork. The force to cause such a dual heaping and scattering is reflected in the hugeness of the pile and the distance the wreckage is thrown, pieces of iron two inches in diameter being hurled seventy-five yards away.
Serious as the smash is, it might have proved incalculably worse. It appears that Guard Batty had received instructions to proceed ahead of the express and had passed the tablet to the engine-driver when he heard the Xgaruakehu station telephone persistently ringing. No attendant being there he answered and received instructions not to proceed as he might delay the express. By this piece of good fortune a greater catastrophe was averted, as the oncoming express would undoubtedly have dashed into the mass of wreckage which consisted of at least twenty trucks.
Enginedriver Walsh suffered a terrible death, being pinned clown •where a jet of leaking steam played upon him. When rescued he was stil conscious, though scalded past all hope of recovery. He behaved with admirable bravery and stoicism, merely asking to be given a stimulant.
The inquest has been adjourned for a week.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19190516.2.20.2
Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17572, 16 May 1919, Page 5
Word Count
224HOW THE MAIN TRUNK EXPRESS WAS SAVED. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17572, 16 May 1919, Page 5
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