SHOCKING RAILWAY DISASTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9135, 7 February 1910, Page 5

SHOCKING RAILWAY DISASTER.

A TRAIN WITHOUT BRAKES. RUNS INTO A DEAD-END. DRIVER AND TWO FIREMEN . KILLED. (B? Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Pee Press Association.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 6.

A goods train drawn by two engines, from Ararat, instead of drawing up at Beaufort, ran into the buffer stops. Coward, a driver, and Fireman Russell, on the second engine, were killed instantly. Fireman Guillard, on the first engine, died 'subsequently, while Driver Gronn, of the leading engine, was badly scalded. A signalman states that he saw the train travelling at a terrific pace, and, in order to prevent a collision with a goods engine, he switched the Ararat train into the dead-end. The impact was terrific. The leading engine was derailed, while the assisting engine and tender were crumpled up. j

Coward was found clinging to the reversing lever, while Russell was holding on to the brake. Guillard was pinned under the engine, and it took three and a half hours to release him. He died while he was being extricated.

Complaints wore made that the crew of the train had been on duty for eighteen hours without a break. Coward is stated to have remarked to his wife "There is sure to be a smash one of these days; wo have to work so long we are often half asleep on the job."

THE SURVIVING DRIVES. A SCOTCH MIST AND SLIPPERY RAILS. Received February 7, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 7. The surviving driver, Gronn. was scalded from the hip to the foot, his loins were crushed and his hand broken. He states there was a Scotch mist and slippery rail as he came down the Beaufort bank. The first thing fie knew was that there was a train on No. 2 line. He called out: "Good God, Charlie, we are on -No. 2. There is the end. Jump !" But before either could

jump the crash came. The huge engines with ii heavy wheat train behind were piled up and' he was jammed between the lover frame and injector pipe by the foot. The gauge glass burst and began to scald him. It was awful, but the steam made his boot slippery and he was able to wrench his foot out and get on to the permanent way.

FIREMAN GILLIARD'S AGONY. A BRAVE MAN'S DEATH. Received February 7, 10 a.m. • MELBOURNE, Feb. 7. The driver of the second engine was nearly cut in two, while Russell's head was almost severed. Gilliard's sufferings were awful. He was pinned by the wreckage in an upright position, enduring terrible agony from the heat of the boiler, while a hooked piece of metal penetrated his back. He lived for four and a half hours. Superhuman efforts were made to release him. Once or twice he encouraged his rescuers, who were doing their best for him. Occasionally a cry was wrung from him by the pain caused by the scalding water from the boiler. Daylight found him in the same state. A doctor was standing by administering morphia, but Gilliard died before he was extricated. A DRIVER'S COMPLAINT. ENGINE NOT PROPERLY BRAKED. Received February 7, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE. Feb. 7. Gronn complained before leaving Stawell that his engine- was not properly braked. It appears that the engine- was practically without Tarake power on, the fatal. journey. The railway officials admit that the second engine was of low brake power. - TRAIN TRAVELLING TOO FAST. A SIGNALMAN'S EFFORTS. Received Februarys 7, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 7. The signalman's story shows that the stationary engine had nothing to do with the disaster. The line had been made clear for the goods train. He went down the platform and when the train was within fifty yards of the station he saw she was travelling too. fast. He ' ran back to the signal-box to turn her, off the loop on to the main line, but it was too late. She was over the intersection and making straight for the dead end. He heard Gilliard cry out: "For God's sake-hit me on the head and put me out of this." Then he ran for the doctor.