SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2350, 30 April 1892, Page 4

SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Sydney, April 27. News is just received in town of a dreadful railway accident at Sodwalls, on the Bathurst line. A train ran off the rails and was smashed up. Nine persons are reported to be killed and fifteen injured. It appears the western mail train left Redfern last night well laden with passengers. When between Sodwalls and Tarana this morning the last three carriages, including a sleeping car, were derailed owing to a broken rail, which it is supposed was caused by the first part of the train. Of those killed the following have been identified: —Mrs McDonald, Kersteiu the engine driver, Messrs Dishington and Doig, (the last named) being a Now Zealander,) Millie Buckell, W. Ayres (Photographer), Chas. Tailby, and Miss Cowell or Carroll. The injuries of twelve and others are of a serious nature, and the sufferers have been removed to Bathurst hospital. Milthorpe, a settler, Syramons, a labourer, and Gilmour, a billard marker, have received scalp wounds, besides other injuries. Milthorpe also had one of his legs crushed. Lily Macdonald, O’Shea, and Thomas were injured. Three children whose names are unknown are among the wounded, and it is believed their parents are among those killed. No first-class passengers were injured. Dishington, one of those killed, is also supposed to hail from New Zealand. Most of those killed were travelling in the mail van, which was smashed to atoms. Mr Doig was formerly a commercial traveller having his headquarters in Dunedin. Cassidy, an ex-Queensland resident, who accompanied him on the illfated journey, escaped unhurt. The guard and mail agent had a marvellous escape from instant death. As it was they received severe injuries. The enginedriver states that the rails were broken in five different places. Those who were killed must have suffered terrible agony. Some of the bodies were literally ground to pieces against the granite cutting, which flanked the line. Several pieces of flesh and fragments of clothing were found among the debris. The body of a woman, who has not yet been identified, was literally cut to pieces. Ten persons occupied the car which contained the mail compartment, and of that number only one escaped with life. The train was drawn by an engine known as “ The Baldwin,” which class is now subject to enquiry by a Royal Commission with regard to its suitableness on the New South Wales railways, April 28. The damage to rolling-stock iu the railway accident is estimated at about £30,000. The accident is the most disastrous that has ever occurred iu Australia. The train was travelling at tho rate of 20 wiles per hour, and when the accident happened the driver managed to stop within a hundred yards. Very little shock was experienced iu the front part of the train. The night was dark and cold, and fox’ a time the scene was one of terrible confusion, In connection with the accident to the trains conveying Sells’ circus, the driver of the colliding train has been committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter. The inquest Off the remains of the victims is proceeding. [The Mr Doig (says the Herald) who was killed in the New South Wales railway accident was well known as traveller for Sargood, Son and E wen. He loft New Zealand for Australia eight or nine months ago. Deceased’s mother and a daughter, Mrs and Miss Doig, live with their son and brother-in-law, in Timaru, Mr David Stuart.]