Deck of rail bridge sagged after a pier went missing in flood waters. There were no trains on the bridge at the time and trains were prevented from crossing the bridge.
Executive summary Tuhinga whakarāpopoto
The reported circumstances were that the deck of a rail bridge began to sag after a vertical support structure (pier) went missing in flood waters. There were no trains on the bridge at the time and trains were prevented from crossing the bridge. The incident occurred on Bridge 57 over the Rangitata River at about 1100 on 12 April at the 127.2 Km mark on the Main South Line, south of Ealing in Canterbury.
[As initially reported. Subject to change. Not official Findings].