Forty years since Tangiwai disaster

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 13

Forty years since Tangiwai disaster

BY

Dennis

Beytagh

For many of those living in the Waimarino 40 years ago news of the Tangiwai train disaster on Christmas Eve 1953 had the same impact as news of President Kennedy's assasination 10 years later ... everyone can remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the news. At 10.21pm on 24 December 1953 disaster struck when the northbound overnight express between Wellington and Auckland plunged into the dark, swollen and sulphurous waters of the Wangaehu River at Tangiwai taking with it the locomotive, five carriages and claiming 151 lives. Worst tragedy It was, up till then, the country ' s worst tragedy and remained so until the Air New Zealand - Mt Erebus disaster some 30 years later which claimed more than 250 lives though, for many living in the Waimarino, Tangiwai was a greater personal tragedy ... they either lost family members and friends in the disaster or were involved in the rescue and recovery operations. Hours earlier - and without anyone being aware of it - the eastern lip of Mt Ruapehu ' s Crater Lake had collapsed releasing tons of sulphurous water and blocks of ice and frozen ash into the normally placid but odorous Wangaehu River. Under cover of darkness this 20ft high surge of water swept down through tussock and forest gathering rocks and tree stumps before striking and carrying away the supports of the railway bridge just north of the Tangiwai station. Karioi bound Among the passengers on board the train that fateful night were several bound for Karioi, Ohakune and National Park including two members of a well-known Karioi family, Helen and Susanne (Anne) Kennedy. Helen Kennedy survived while her younger sister Anne, then aged 26, died in the torrent as the locomotive (Ka 949) and first five carriages plunged into the raging river leaving the sixth carriage teetering precariously on the remaining bridge pier. Another victim that night was 27-year old Joan Crowley while a former resident of the Waimarino but then living in Wellington, Wheturere ('Jim') Gray, who was on his way home to spend Christmas with his family in Ohakune, also perished. Army on the scene Emergency services were soon on the scene af-

ter the alarm was raised by passing motorists and among the first to arrive were Army personnel from the nearby military camp in Waiouru and naval person- - nel from the Navy' s signalling station at HMNZ Irirangi. Many helpers Others arriving to help, and there were many from throughout the Waimarino, were at Karioi while ambulances and medical staff came from surrounding towns and railway repair gangs and equipment were sent from Wanganui and Wellington. Uninjured survivors were taken to Waiouru where they were provided with hot refreshments and overnight accommodation at the Army base before continuing with their interrupted journeys, some in borrowed clothing, the next day. Because the main railway link between Wellington and Auckland had been broken railway repair gangs were soon at work pile-driv-ing foundations for the new piers to carry the reconstructed bridge and track. Placid Six days later the northbound daylight express was able once more to cross the now placid Wangaehu River instead of having to travel through Marton, Wanganui and Stratford before again linkingup with the North Island Main Trunk line at Taumarunui. Despite the enormity of the tragedy nothing was done to commemorate the occasion and remember those who had died or to mark the site for 36 years until 1989 when Ruapehu Lions built a memorial beside the river which had claimed so many lives. Prior to that it had been the practice of train drivers on the northbound overnight express to drop a wreath into the Wangaehu River each Christmas Eve. The Tangiwai Memorial - a black granite plinth on a pedestal of river boulders - was officially unveiled on Sunday 18 June 1989 in the presence of about 700 people including relatives and friends of the dead, others who had been on the train that night as well as many who had helped in the rescue and recovery operation or in providing comfort, food, clothing and accommodation. Representatives of Ruapehu Lions, the NZ Army, NZ Railways, the Salvation Army, Radio New Zealand were there at the unveiling ceremony as were the official guests who included the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the mayor and councillors of

the Waimarino District Council. The service of dedication, which began with a powhiri from the Ngati Rangi sub-tribe, was conducted by Father Neal Wilson of OhakuneWaiouru, Bishop Peter Cullinane of Palmerston North and by Reverend Tom Hawira of Raetihi, with readings by Michael Kennedy of Karioi whose sister, Anne, had died in the tragedy.

Accompanied by the Warnocks Wanganui Brass Band several hymns were sung during the sombre ceremony while Helen Kennedy and other survivors, relatives and friends placed wreaths around the memorial. Candle-light In the four years since the memorial was built a candlelight ceremony has been held at the site every Christmas Eve, sometimes

attracting as many as 100200 people. This year a special ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of New Zealand' s worst rail disaster will be held. Followingarecent 'Minister' s Fraternal' at which all local ministers of different denominations met, it was decided that this year's service will be led by Pastor John Mason of the Apostolic Church, readings will be gi ven by Elder Doug

Eves of the Brethren Congregation and Mr Mark Munroe of the Baptist Church will conduct the prayers. For the first time this year a screen and projector will be set up under the display and information stand canopy with power being supplied by a portable generator. The service starts 10pm this Friday, Christmas Eve. Among wreaths to be laid will be one from the local

railway preservation group Main Trunk Rail Ohakune (MTRO) who have participated in this ceremony and placed a wreath at the memorial for the past four years. All welcome Those wishing to attend this ceremony may take a candle or a torch as a reminder of that dark and tragic night and the conditions under which the rescue and recovery teams had to work 40 years ago.