NEARLY TRAGEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20523, 13 June 1938, Page 8

NEARLY TRAGEDY

TRAIN DERAILMENT SO.;-* 5.* u; UNDERMINING OF LINE RAIL TRAFFIC DISLOCATED (By Telegraph.—press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday Tragedy almost followed hard on the heels of last night’s disastrous flooding In central Taranaki when the north-bound goods train was derailed two miles on the New Plymouth side of Tarlkl, when the rails collapsed Into a washout. Fortunately, the engine carried on over the weakened spot and kept the rails and the driver and fireman escaped uninjured. Rail traffic between New Plymouth and places south, was completely cut off, but it was possible to run trains close to both sides of the accident and trans-ship passengers by road. This permitted passengers to Wellington and the mail to continue their Journey. Large gangs of men were on the scene at daybreak. During the night the rain south of Inglewood was torrential and every river and creek rose enormously. The large rivers kept within their banks, but it was the small creeks which burst and caused havoc.

Scouring Flood Waters This was the state of affairs at the rail smash. A small creek not more than two feed wide usually and several feet below the railway track level is normally carried under the line by a culvert four feet square. Such was the rush of water caused by the cloudburst, however, that the stream became a raging torrent about 15 feet deep and yards wide. The culvert was totally inadequate and the waters poured across the line, depositing silt in many places, but sweeping down and across the track and scouring the ballast from beneath the lines. In one place the scouring was so great that there was an open space beneath, the sleepers and it was here that the actual derailment occurred. When the train hit the damaged line two of the leading carriages Jumped off and before the train could be stopped the two at the rear followed suitHavoo Wrought on Track For a distance of 200 yards the sleepers were torn and splintered and on both sides of the track were jagged pieces of thick metal which had once been axle-boxes and springs. Two of the trucks were very severely damaged and the others were well bent and torn. Gangers were rushed to the scene from Stratford and New Plymouth soon after the accident, which occurred shortly after 5 o’clock and an engine was sent from Stratford. Two of the trucks contained coal and this was emptied out into heaps on the side of the lines so that the wreckage could be cleared. General goods were in the other two trucks damaged and these had to be trans-shipped.