RAILWAY SMASH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 428, 20 November 1930, Page 7

RAILWAY SMASH

GOODS TRAIN WRECKED ACCIDENT IN THE NORTH DEBRIS STREWN ON LINES [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nor. 19. Three goods trains wore involved in a smash at To Kauwhata railway station, 4 miles south of Auckland shortly before daybreak. For more than six hours tho main line was blocked by the wreckage of trucks and a guard’s van. Ono train on reaching Kauwhata from Auckland, found a second train from Frankton on the station loop, where it was shunting. The train from Auckland waited on Ihe main line at the station for about 20 minutes for the lino to clear, but about 3.25 a third train also from Frankton, appeared, turned on to the loop and crashed into the van of the second train. The van collapsed and the broken framework was driven into the wagons iu front, wrecking them. The engine of the first train on the main lino was standing approximately opposite the van of the second train, which wn,< on the loop. Tho driver and fireman of the first train, seeing a smash inevitable w’.on the third train appeared, leaped from the engine and dashed for safety with only seconds tc spare.

Tho throe trains were officially known as No. 81 from Auckland, No. 232 from Frankton, No- 244 the fast through goods from Wellington to Auckland. No. 81 was on the main lino and No. 2-14 crashed into No. 232, and thn wreckage was piled up against tho. engine of No. 81. Tho engines of 81 and 244 had their headlights wrecked. The roof of the guard’s van of No. 232 was thrown on to the funnel of No. 81.

In consequence of wreckage on tho line, tho first express reached Auckland throe hours late and the Limited two hours’ late.