ONGARUE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1923, Page 1

ONGARUE DISASTER.

[l>y teIkg HATH — PKIt nu«s association.]

FINDING OK INQUIRY

WELLINGTON", Aug. JO

The re)tori, ol the Board of Inquiry into the Ongaruo railway disaster was delivered to-day." Replying to the question as to what was the cause ol the derailment, the hoard finds that it was due to the train colliding with several large boulders, forming pari of a. slip, ii> a cutting; near Ongaruo. The occurrence was accidental, and it emtld not have been prevented bv the exercise ~l ordinary human precautions.

There were good grounds for the belief that the fall was taking place at ihc time the train was passing, a- a boulder knocked off the handle ol the smoke dour.

The heavy rainfall in May and June brought: about a saturated and unstable condition of the cutting. As to the question: "Mas any employee of the department guilty ol a dereliction of duty directly or iudircctlvf”- The hoard is satisfied Dial there was no neglect of duty on the pint of any employees .directly or indirectlv.

Relic! measures were promptly taken. and willing and effective assistance was rendered in rescuing Hie injured passengers. The loss of life and the injuries were due to the telescoping ol the throe leading passenger cars, whose upper frames proved too light to rcthe weight ol the following ears. The tools and ambulance appliances carried on the train were up to standard of the New Zealand and Australian and North British railways. The recommendation* include the following:— That a greater number of tools should be carried for use in such an emergency. That a greater number of lights could have been used with advantage. Tlie department is ret otnmended to increase the number of lamps carried on the express trains.

Medical advice should be obtained re the ambulance materials carried. That the cm ling was regarded a--afe, the report says, was substantiated by the fact that 50.090 or 30,000 trains had passed through it since the opening of the Alain I runic without accident, or stoppage, hut the department is advised to have the cuttings in the locality specially examined, and the necessary steps taken to make them more secure. Suggestions front the public are of no practical value. The train was found to have been properly examined and equipped, and in good order prior to and during the. journey until the accident. A stronger type of ear is desirable on mail trains, so that they shall be hotter able to resist the shock of a collision.

It is suggested that the department consider the possibility of building the carriage bodies oi steel, and of substituting chairs with steel, instead of cast-iron, frames.

After hearing the evidence ooncetfling the disaster, and the daily measures taken by the department to ensure the safe running of trains, the board is satisfied that all reasonable precautions were taken to effect this purpose. Thanks is expressed to the witnesses, and all who rendered assistance in the accident, and the inquiry, and also to the chief officers of the department.