RO-1995-117

On Sunday 12 November 1995 at about 1240 hours Train 600, the Northbound "Bay Express" express passenger service between Wellington and Napier, derailed at Pukehou between Waipukurau and Hastings on the Palmerston North Gisborne Line. The train was travelling at approximately 90 km/h when the locomotive, power/baggage van and an empty passenger carriage left the tracks on a right hand curve. The two rear carriages carrying passengers remained on the rails. A member of the public riding in the cab of the locomotive was fatally injured and nineteen passengers or crew suffered shock or minor injuries. The causal factor was the excessive speed of the train.