TRAIN SMASH RECALLED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19517, 22 December 1926, Page 10

TRAIN SMASH RECALLED.

KATJA COMPANY'S ORDEAL. MARIE BURKE'S EXPERIENCE. Some details of the terrible experiences of passengers on the Sydney to Brisbane express which was derailed between Togan and Aberdeen on the night of June 10, were given by Miss Marie Burke, leading lady of the J. 0. Williamson "Katja, the Dancer," Company, who, with other members of the company, was' on the train. Miss Burke, who arrived from Sydney by the Maunganui yesterday, was badly cut with glass and was in hospital for 11 weeks. "I consider I am very lucky I was not killed," stated Miss Burke. "The accident happened about 10 at night when I was talking to Mr. Ward Morgan, the leading man, and Mr. Edward Royce, jun., stage manager. Suddenly there was a crash and the car we were in turned over twice. The fact that I had not gone to bed saved my life. I afterwards saw my bunk and it was smashed to pieces. Mr. Morgan was terribly injured, his pelvis being fractured in three places. It was only his strong will that kept him alive. He is not better yet, but there is every hope he will recover. Mr. Royco had a tendon in the knee severed, but, happily, he is better." Miss Burke said other members of tho company, who were fortunately in the back portion of tho train, escaped with a severe shaking and bruises. "When we left Sydney I was in the back of tie train, but the cars were later changed and mine was put third from the front," added Miss Burke. "Altogether, an engine and foar cars were derailed. The smash was a bad one, six being killed and 33 injured. I had an unenviable experience in being taken to hospital. I was put in a car and driven over roads worse than a ploughed field to the hospital at Scone, 12 miles away. I feel quite better now, but frequently become tired, no doubt due to the accident." At the time of tlie derailment, the company was on its way to. Brisbane to open a season there. After 'the smash it was disbanded and did not reassemble for, about three months.