Tragic Coincidence
(New Zealand Press Association)
WELLINGTON, February 7. The two visits of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have been marred by New Zealand’s most tragic road and railway accidents. Today’s bus disaster on the Brynderwyn hill has been a painful reminder to the nation of the railway accident at Tangiwai on Christmas Eve, 1953. That night the flood-weakened Tangiwai bridge collapsed under the Wellington-Auckland express, and 154 of the 267 passengers lost their lives when the engine and six of the train’s nine carriages somersaulted into the raging waters of the Whangaehu river. Motorists on the nearby highway were soon on the scene attempting to give
assistance, but early rescue work was hampered by darkness and cold.
Bodies were recovered for days after, some far down the river. In 21 cases the victims were unidentifiable because of disfigurement A burial service was held at Wellington cemetery for the unidentified victims. The Duke of Edinburgh broke his tour engagements and flew from Hamilton to attend the service.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 10
Word Count
169Tragic Coincidence Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 10
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