RAILWAY DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 32, 7 February 1910, Page 5

RAILWAY DISASTER.

TRAIN STRIKES A DEAD END. THREE MEN KILLED. SUFFERINGS OF THE INJURED. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright) MELBOURNE, February 6. A goods train drawn by two engines from Ararat, instead of drawing up at Beaufort, ran into the buffed stops. Coward, the driver of the second engine, and Russell, the fireman, were killed instantly, and Gillan, the fireman of the first engine, died subsequently, while Gronn, the driver 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 engine of a goods train sta α-iing on the line he switched the Ararit train into the dead end. The impact was terrific. The leading engine was 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 pinnwi under the engine, and it took three and a-half hours to release him. Complaints are being made that the crew of the train had been on duty for 18 hours without a break. Coward is said to h.ivs remarked to his wife: "There is sura to bo a smash one of these days. We h:ive to work 50 long, and we are often I'alf asleep on the job."