Head-on collision when a night freight train from the West Coast crashed into a stationary train from Christchurch.1938.

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DescriptionHead-on collision when a night freight train from the West Coast crashed into a stationary train from Christchurch at Aylesbury.

Lying on its side on the right is the mail van which trapped and killed Mr. A. Bailey (portrait inset), fireman of the moving train, as he jumped from the cab just before the collision.

A night goods train from the West Coast crashed head-on at Aylesbury, 22 miles from Christchurch, into the stationary engine of a train from Christchurch in the darkness early last Wednesday morning. One life was lost and five people were injured.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19380406-43-01PhotographerAuckland Weekly NewsDate of Photo1938-04-06Map^[1]External LinkAUCKLAND LIBRARYContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)Christchurch

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Date Created2nd May 2026

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Head-on collision when a night freight train from the West Coast crashed into a stationary train from Christchurch.1938.

Editing is temporarily disabled