SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 308, 7 February 1910, Page 5

SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT

TRAIN SMASHES AGAINST BUFFER STOPS. TURNED TO PREVENT A COLLISION. THREE MEN KILLED. By Cable.—Frees Association.—Copyright Received 6, 5 p.m. Melbourne, February G. The No. 6 goods train, drawn by two engines, from Ararat, instead of drawing up at Beaufort, ran into the buffer stops. The driver, named Coward, and the fireman, named Russell, on the second engine, were killed instantlv. Thomas Gillan, of the first engine, died subsequently, while Driver Grain, of the leading engine, was badly scalded. The signalman states that he saw the train travelling at a terrific pace, and in order to prevent a collision with the goods engine standing on the line he switched the "Ararat train into the dead end. The impact was terrific. The' leading engine was derailed, while the second and the tender were crumpled up. Coward was found clinging to a lever, while Russell was holding on +o the brake. Gillan was pinned under the engine. It took three and a-hilf hours .to release him. Compiaints are 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 >o .work so long that we are often half asleep on the job."