AN EVENTFUL JOURNEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2649, 3 November 1909, Page 5

AN EVENTFUL JOURNEY.

SOOTH ISLAND WEST COAST COACHES DELAYED,

[Pun Pukes Association.! t F CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. The passengers from the West Coast yesterday did not arrive in toAvn till a,quarter to one this morning, and reported a rather exciting and eventful trip. They reached Otira at about 10 o’clock yesterday morning, when information Avas received that the river was 3ft 6in above the normal level at the Bealey, and it looked as if they Avould bo held up foil the day. Later on, however, word came that the river AA'as falling, and it was decided to push on. The coaches left Ot.ra about 2.30 p.m. The Otira river Avas so high that the passengers crossed by the footbridge, leaving the vehicle to ford:the stream. The Waimakariri Avas still a trifle high, and the driver (Searle) looked for a suitable ford on horseback till he located a spot where the crossing could ho made with safety. The passengers Avere conveyed across in a stout I .waggonette at about six o’clock, Bealey again at a quarter to seven.* Broken River Avas reached about ten p.m., but tbe last coach came to grief on the hill above the station. The driver (Clark), Avho Avals Tiugging the hill pretty closely in the dark, got into a deep rut, upsetting the coach against the hank. Ho Avas thrown out on his head, but stuck to the reins, Avbile one of the passengers jumped clear and ran to the horses’ Leads. There were six passengers inside, who got a fright, but beyond a severe shaking came to no harm. They finished the journey into Broken River, a matter of 300" yards, on foot, while the coach"was righted and brought on with the luggage. The Railway Department delayed the train, and Christchurch w r as reached about 12.45 a.m.