N.Z. RAILCAR BURNT

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1947, Page 5

N.Z. RAILCAR BURNT

PASSEAGERS ESCAPE (P.A.) Greymouth, May I The Greymouth - Christchurch railcar waa destroyed by lire at 7 o’clock to-night, one and a-haif miles from Poerua station. The car was fully laden, but all tlie passengers escaped without injury. No baggage was lost. The car was driven by Mr. C. Hardy, lhe cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. The passengers are proceeding to Christchurch by a new car. The scene of the accident is between Poerua and Jackson’s station, in a very isolated locality. It was later ascertained that the driver had no indication of the outbreak until the flames had a firm hold, but he was able to stop and discharge 50 passengers. The mails were saved, but a small quantity of passengers’ luggage was damaged. The fierce heat of hundreds of gallons of burning Diesel oil made it impossible to approach the car for some time, but it was eventually pushed to Poerua station by the GreymouthOtira goods train and at 10.55 p.m. was still burning. Then shell and only underframe remained. The line was undamaged. Normal traffic proceeded after the wreck was removed. A special railcar from Greymouth was rushed to the scene, taking the passengers fop Christchurch, who will arrive at their destination about three hours late.