RAILWAY DISASTER.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13651, 7 February 1910, Page 7

RAILWAY DISASTER.

THREE ENGINEMEN KILLED. SOME GRAVE ALLEGATIONS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received February 6th, 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. Driver Coward and 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 be saw the train travelling at a terrific pace, and in order to prevent a collision with a goods engine standing on tbe line, he switched the Ararat train into a "dead end." The impact was terrific. The leading engine was derailed, while the second engine and tender were completely crumpled up. Driver Coward was found clinging to his lever, while Fireman Russell was holding on to the brake. Fireman Gillan was pinned under bis engine, and it took three and a half hours to release him. The complaint is made that the crew of the train bad been on duty for eighteen hours without a break. Driver Coward is stated to have remarked to his wife:—''"There is sure to be a smash one of these days. We have to work so long that we are often half asleep, on the job."