RAILWAY DISASTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 810, 10 February 1910, Page 3

RAILWAY DISASTER.

DRIVER GRONN’S STATEMENT. Melbourne, Feb. S. The condition of driver Gronn, the driver of the front engine in the Beaufort railway disaster, is improving. He states that driver Coward asked to be relieved at Ararat owing to feeling the strain of working long hours. The stationmaster unsuccessfully tried to obtain a man to relieve him. Melbourne, Feb. 9.

Groan, the surviving driver, states that he found a leak in the brake before he set out from Ballarat. A fitter patched up the hole with spun yarn, but it was not effective. He tried to get repairs at various points, but several stations were not furnished with proper appliances. When he reached Ararat he reported the state of the engine, but as there was no other available he had to go on. At Stowell the fitter had not sufficient material to complete repairs, and he had to take the train back. At Ballarat he consulted with Coward, another driver, and asked him though contrary to the regulations, to take charge of the train from Coward’s engine owing to the defective condition of Groan’s engine. After leaving Ararat the defect increased. On reaching Beaufort the signals were all right, but approaching the station the train got out of control and dashed to the dead ends.