A RAILWAY SMASH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9712, 7 February 1910, Page 5

A RAILWAY SMASH.

THREE MEN KILLED. MEN WOKKING FOR EIGHTEEN HOURS. United Press Association—r>y rjiectric Telegraph Copyright. Received February 6, 5 p.m. MELBOURNE, February 6. A goods train drawn by two engines, from Ararat, instead of drawing up at Beaufort, ran into the buffer-stops. Tb2 driver, named Coward, the fireman, Russell, on the second engine, were killed instantly. Fireman Gillan, of the first engine, died subsequently, while Driver Gronn, 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 being derailed, while the second engine and tender were crumpled up Coward was found clinging to the lever, while Russell was holding on to the brake. Gillan was pinned under the engine, and it took three and a half hours to release him. Complaints have bnen made that the crew or the train had been on duty eighteen hours without a break. Coward is stated to have remarked to his wife: "There will be a smash one of these days, we have to worK so long; we are often half asleep on the job."