OTAGO RAIL SMASH

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1943, Page 2

OTAGO RAIL SMASH

Board of Inquiry P.A. WELLINGTON, June 9. A Board of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the circumstances of the derailment of the passenger train near Hyde on Friday last, according to an announcement by the Minister of Railways, Hon. R. Semple, tonight. The personnel of the Board is: Sir Francis Vernon Frazer (Wellington), Mr. John Wood. (Wellington), and Mr. Harold Linter Cole (Wellington). Sir F. V. Frazer will be chairman, and the Board is required t 0 present its report to the Minister of Railways not later than July 13. The inquiry will be open to the public, and notices of the Board’s sitting will be made public in order that members of the public may l , give evidence. The order of reference for the Board is: (1) What was the cause of the derailment? (2) Was any person in the/ employ of the Government Railways Department guilty of any dereliction of duty’ which directly or indirectly contributed to the derailment? (o) Generally, are there any circumstances in connection with the derailment which call for comment, particularly’ in respect of rolling stock and the permanent way in the locality of the derailment? (4) What steps (if anyi) should be taken to prevent a recurrence of similar derailments.