RAILWAY SMASH

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 September 1926, Page 5

RAILWAY SMASH

OFFICIAL DEATH ROLL,

SURVIVORS’ EXPERIENCES.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, September 15. A revised official list of the killed was issued '.to-day as follows i—Mrs Ackland, A E. Adams, Mrs Anderton,

, A. C. Bush, Miss Jd.net Doyle, John Dunbai\ Ada Tripp, John Giles, Mrs ' Giles, A'. Jbfferson, Arthur Jurd, Sydlldy Mallett, J. R. MotkridgS (fif Dunedin), Owen McGrath, Mrs A. McDonald, W* McMillan, E. McRjeowh, Sydney Noller, Master Rich, Clhrice Sampson, Peter Vaginias, Mr and Mrs Wilson, James Walker, Miss Kathleen Malone, and one unidentified woman. There were also forty-two injured, a number of whom, however, are only suffering slightly from shock. _ LATER. The final victim of the railway disaster has been identified as Mrs Elizabeth Garland, of Coonoo-Coonoo. Mockridge, late of Dunedin, was identified by a friend of the family. It is understood that Mrs Mockridge is seriously ill at Dunedin. A Sydney passenger in' the wrecked train states that, of seven travellers in one compartment, four were killed outright and another was badly injured. He and a companion were pinned in with the dead for an hour before being released. The suddenness of the disaster, without the slightest previous warning, left all who escaped death or injury in a dazed condition, but ‘ when they - realised what had happened and the extent of the calamity all who

were left capable of action w’ere quickly engaged in rescue work. Improvised beds were made for the wounded as they were extricated from the wreck age, seat cushions and travelling rugs being utilised. The rescuers kept up their heroic efforts for the relief of the sufferers, amidst a scene of confusion and horror till assistance from the neighbouring towns arrived. When the trucks broke away from the siding the guard of the goods train, who was directing the shunting, made a frantic but futile effort to climb upon them and they disappeared at a terrific speed down the incline. It was known that the mail train was approaching and those at the siding waited in sickening fear till the deafening crash announced their worst fears were realised.

Flying cinders set fire to the wool aboard the tracks and 300 bales were destroyed. The timely efforts to provide a fire break between the burning wool and the wrecked carriages prevented the flames spreading to where scores of victims were still pinned amidst the splintered debris. Two men on the runaway trucks were among the killed, their bodies being hurled many yards through the air when the trucks met the approaching train. Though the accident occurred near midnight it was not till after six o’clock in the morning that the last injured person was extricated. Several succumbed shortly after they were got out. One of the last cases was a man from whom the wreckage could not be removed. His legs were badly crushed and in the final effort to relieve him the doctor amputated one of his legs, but the man died from shock. Another man was dragged out with an eye gouged out and otherwise cruelly injured. He told his rescuers he did not want help as he was not long for this world, adding: “For God’s sake, go and help others.’’ One woman, terribly injured, lay pinned over her infant, which was rescued unscathed after several hours’ imprisonment.

Among the killed was Air A. C. Adams, Chief Accountant of the Rural Industries Branch, who was sleeping in the same compartment as Judge AlcCatta. The latter escaped uninjured. From another compartment twenty-nine dead were taken. Howard Rich, who was killed, was a member of a family of five travelling on the train. His father, mother and two brothers were all injured.

When the news reached the adjoining townships, many people left their beds and rushed to succour the victims. Some soft goods stores sent carloads of blankets and rugs in which to wrap the wounded. It is ascertained that the girl, Seccombe, reported killed, reached home uninjured. J. D. Kennedy, another ncluded in the list of dead, was not on the train.

PROGRESS OF INJURED.

SYDNEY, Sept. 16.

Alost of the injured in the train smash mo progressing favourably. Two at Alurrarundi Hospital are still in a serious condition.

The body of John Reuben Mockbridge lies at Scone Hospital. One of those rescued says that he was pinned hard and fast under the wreckage and could not move. Rescuers were chopping at the wood above his head and the axe blade came through and struck his ear. He shouted loudly, and the rescuers then worked round and extricated him. All the passengers speak gratefully of the heroism displayed by the doctors working on the spot.

ANOTHER MISHAP.

SYDNEY, Sept. 15.

A serious disaster was narrowly averted early this morning near Junee. The front bogey wheel of the engine of the Melbourne express came off when nearing Illabe, and the engine was derailed, but the carriages kept the track. Traffic was disorganised for several hours.