MINISTER FLIES TO WANGANUI

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 155, 28 March 1938, Page 11

MINISTER FLIES TO WANGANUI

Injured People Visited In Hospital Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, March 26. Immediately on hearing of the accident, to the Wellington-New Plymouth excursion train, the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, left Nelson by aeroplane for Wanganui, where, he was met by Mr. J. 8.. F. Cotterill, ALP. for Wanganui, the mayor of Wanganui, Mr. W. J- Rogers, and,’the general manager of railways, Mr. G. H.'Mackley. Satisfying himself that- everything possible was being done for the comfort of the injured, the Minister went at once to the scene of .the disaster. The work of clearing the smashed vehicles and repairing the track was already in progress’and an inspection was made of the scene by the Minister and his officers. After discussion on the spot with his technical advisers the Minister returned to Wanganui and, in company, with Mr. Cotterill and Mr. Rogers, visited the hospital, where he called upon the medical superintendent, Dr, H. L. Widdowson, to inquire as to the condition of those Injured. Mr. .Sullivan visited several of the patients,' including the engine-driver, Mr. E, Percival, and the fireman, Mr. K. Millar, who were badly injured. Later he made calls on relatives of several of the passengers, who had been killed or injured, to express his personal sympathy. The Minister left Wanganui late on Saturday night for Wellington.