RAILWAY DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 809, 8 February 1910, Page 3

RAILWAY DISASTER.

TWO DRIVERS AND A FIREMAN KILLED.

Mklbournk, February 5

A goods train, drawn by two engines, from Ararat, instead of drawing up at Beaufort, ran into the buffer stops. Coward, a driver, and Fireman Russell, on the second engine, were killed instantly. Fireman Gillan, on the first engine, died subsequently, while Driver Gronn of the leading engine, was badly scalded. A signalman states that he saw the train travelling at a terrific pace, and in order to prevent a collision with a goods engine standing on the line, he switched the Ararat train into the deadend.

The impact was terrific. The leading engine was derailed, while the assisting engine and tender were crumpled up. Coward was found clinging to the reversing lever, while Russell was holding on to the brake. Gillan was pinned under the engine, and it look three and ahalf hours to release him.

Complaints were made that the crew of the train had been on duty for eighteen hours without a break. Coward is stated to have remarked to his wife : “ There is sure to be a smash one of these days ; we have to work so long we are often half asleep on the job.”

FURTHER DETAILS,

Mklbournk, Feb. 7

The surviving driver, Gronn, was scalded from the hip to the foot, his loins were crushed and his hand broken. He states there was a Scotch mist and slippery rail as he came down the Beaufort bank. Tne first thing he knew was that there was a train on No. 2 line. He called out : ‘‘Good God, Charlie, we are on No. 2. There is the end. Jump !” But before either could jump the crash came. The huge engines with a heavy wheat train behind were piled up and he was jammed between the lever frame and injector pipe by the foot. The gauge glass burst and began tc scald him. It was awful, but tne steam made his boot slippery and he was able to wrench his foot out and get 011 to the permanent way.

The driver of the second engine was nearly cut in two, while Russell’s head was almost severed. Gilliard’s sufferings were awful. Pie was piuued by the wreckage in an upright position, enduring terrible agony from the heat of the boiler, while a hooked piece of metal penetrated his back. He lived tor four and a half hours. Superhuman efforts were made to release him. Once or twice he encouraged his rescuers, who were doing their best for him. Occasionally a cry was rung from him by the pain caused by the scalding water from the boiler. Daylight found him in the same state. A doctor \yas standing by administering morphia, but Gilliard died before he was extricated. Groun complained before leaving Stawell that his engine was not properly braked. It appears that the engine was practically without brake power on the fatal journey. The railway officials admit that the second engine vyas of low brake power.

The signalman’s story shows that the stationary engine had nothjng to do with the disaster.

The line had bt-en made clear for the goods train. He went down the platform and when the train was within fifty yards of the station he saw she was travelling too fast. He ran back to the signal-box to turn her off the loop on to the main line, but it was too hte. She was over the intersection and making straight for the dead end. He heard Gilliard cry out: ‘‘For God's sake hit me on the head and put me out of this.” Then he ran for the doctor.