New Zealand - Rail line closed after train hits slip

A train driver and his colleague have had a lucky escape after their train hit a massive slip which came down in the Manawatu Gorge  
They were heading to Taranaki when the train smashed into the slip at 4am this morning on the eastern side of the gorge, near Woodville.

Rail services through the Manawatu Gorge had been suspended due to the crash and Kiwirail said it could be days before the gorge freight service is back on track.

The freight train was carrying eight milk tankers, containing 400,000 litres of milk, from Hawkes Bay to Taranaki when it ran into the slip.

Fortunately, the milk tankers stayed upright and no milk was spilt. They have since been towed to its destination.

Kiwirail CEO Jim Quinn said it was very fortunate that the rock slip did not come down on the train and that the train stopped on it, rather than being tipped by it.

He said that the two survivors of the crash were quite distraught from their experience but were recovering well.

"They are relieved, they're shaken up and they have gone home to rest now."

Other Kiwirail train drivers said they understood what their colleagues were going through.

"The driver will be absolutely devastated. You don't want it happening every day, thats for sure," Kiwirail locomotive engineer Trevor Bremner said.

Quinn said most of the day was spent getting equipment to the crash site and tomorrow Kiwirail would try and get the locomotive out.

source: www.tvnz.co.nz