Tangiwai Disaster remembered

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 290, 13 June 1989, Page 2 (Supplement)

Tangiwai Disaster remembered

The noise and the smell stand out the most. The noise was incredible: the river, the rocks, the sound of the train coming off the bridge, the sound of the bridge falling . . . incredible sounds, and the terrible stench of the sulphur.

"When 1 got out," says Mrs Delia Holman, of Raumati, people said, 'Didn't you hear the screams?' I can honestly say, I wouldn't have known if there were any, because of all the noise." Delia Holman and her late husband John were passengers that Christmas Eve, 1953, on the ill-fated daylight express that plunged into the raging torrent at Tangiwai. They were traveling in the first-class carriages, car Z, the last of the cars to go in. Mr Holman received the George Medal for his part in the rescue of the passengers from that car, where all but one, a young woman, survived. "We went into the river quite a bit later than the others, still not knowing what had happened," recalls Mrs Holman. According to reports, the guard had asked people to move into the carriage behind, but that, says Mrs Holman, is a misconception. "The guard, Mr Inglis, wanted us to stay still. He was, I think, afraid that with the general movement we would go in. "Cyril Ellis, who tried to warn the en-gine-driver, said that everyone should get out, but the guard said, 'No stay where you are.' The passengers, undecided, stayed where they were; it was only a few seconds - then our car went in, too. "One girl in our carriage was killed. The tciiet door had fallen on her. My husband and Cyril Ellis couldn't find her. She was traveling with her sister and they were getting off at Karioi, the next stop. "The water came rushing into car Z . . . The lights were still on - it was murky, a thick yellow look. There was a small amount of head space, a breathing space. We were lucky. The car had hit the. bottom, bounced back up, then landed on its side. Then it was a question of getting out. The water went down as fast as it had come up. "Someone broke a window. I didn't know

where the windows were. I was kicking at the floor trying to get out, thinking it was a window. They turned out to be above us. "I was pulled out and sat on the overturned carriage holding a torch while they got the other passengers out. More windows further along were broken. "I have the utmost admiration for Cyril Ellis (the second recipient of the George Medal). He knew the danger the carriage was in yet he still came in. We had

Thirty Five years ago the Auckland to Wellington Express plunged into the Whangaehu river after the bridge had been taken out by a massive mud flow from the crater lake. This weekend survivors and others will gather at Tangiwai for the unveiling of the long-awaited memorial. This account of the disaster was writen by Ngaire Hopper, .after talking to survivor Delia Holman of Raumati. no choice. We were "7^ men came down there anyway, but from the rest of the knowing how dangerous train to help survivors it was he still came in reach the bank. Then to help. He was the Navy arrived from wonderful. Waiouru, lit a bonfire "My husband had had and passed around some a lot of experience dur- whisky. ing the war. He was in "We went to Waiouru the Air Force and it was hospital for the night. second nature to him to Someone there asked if think quick in an emer- there was anything they gency. He could see could do for us. We what was needed, and were anxious to get a with Cyril Ellis they cable off to our folks in were able to help rescue England telling them the others. we were okay. They

knew we were on that train. "My mother heard about it from the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast. The cable was delayed because of industrial trouble at British Post Office on Boxing Day. "On Christmas morning my husband returned to the scene. He met a man coming out of the wreckage with a purse. He said to my husband, 'Look what I've found.' My husband said, 'Thanks very much - that's my wife's. housekeeping.' Just think that out of all the mess he should have found my purse! "It all seemed so unreal at the time. I thought it was an earthquake. We had just

arrived in the country the previous April. It was the first time we had been any where. We were going to spend Christmas with some friends in Auckland." In borrowed clothes, the Holmans continued their journey to Auckland the next day. It was a long detour, taking 48 hours, but they got there. "There wasn't much point in going back," says Mrs Holman. "We were young and with a spirit of adventure. You say, what the heck? - Let's go on. It's pastures new. We had heard

about this wonderful city of Auckland and we were determined to see it. "People from all around New Zealand were on the express that night," she says. "It would have been nice for a memorial plaque to have marked the spot. The road is nearby. It would be a point of interest. At the moment, I am told there is only a small white cross with a broken arm. "You look at the river now. It's only a trickle, and you think, how could that have happened?"