DERAILED AT MIDNIGHT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 June 1926, Page 9

DERAILED AT MIDNIGHT.

Brisbane Express Smash. APPALLING DISASTER IN THE DARKNESS. By 1 Cfthlfr' -Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, Juno 11. Owing to the collapse of a wooden viaduct between Togar and Aberdeen, about 180 miles north of Sydney, tho Brisbane express, which left Sydney yesterday afternoon, was derailed shortly before midnight. Five were killed and over 30 injured, some critically. Medical aid was sent from Scone and Muswellbrook. The injured, who were able to be moved were sent to hospital at those places. Details of the Smash. Tho train consisted of two engines, a van and seven carriages. There were 143 passengers aboard. An official statement shows that tho leading engine and four carriages went off the line, and the assisting engine toppled on its side. The accident was caused by three spans of a wooden viaduct collapsing when the train was passing over it. The viaduci- crostses a ravine 25 feet deep. Tho first engine crossed safely, but tho viaduct collapsed under the second, engine, and tho first carriage and engine dashed into the ravine, followed by the next two-carriages. It was fortunate that the first engine and the third carriage kept the track, thus preventing further'wreckage, and additional casualties. The viaduct is within a short distance of the Hunter River. ■ • •

Owing to- the darkness the work of rescuing the injured was' very difficult. Tho searching of the debris had to be suspended for some time after 1 o’clock this morning. The rescue parties built camp fires and awaited dawn.

The passengers who,, travelled in a second-class,-; carriage ‘which was next to the engine appear ,to have suffered mast. The carriage was , split in two.. Ono part is still standing, tho other overturned. Alost of the dead wore found in this carriage. The fourth carriage was tilted down through the viaduct. Appalling Scenes. Appalling scones were witnessed after tho disaster. Flames, motor car headlights and other methods of illumination were used to throw light on the wreckage. Some people were so seriously injured that they could not ho moved from the spot. Those lass seriously hurt, after treatment at the hospital, were accommodated in private houses. The permanent way was torn and twisted.

The driver and fireman of the second engine had remarkable escapes. Both were buried beneath coal when tho engine overturned.

The fireman suffered a broken jaw, and the driver received minor injuries and shock.

Theatricals Injured. Among tho passengers in the wrecked train were Messrs J. C, .Williamson’s “Katja Company” of between 30 and 40 members. Mr Ward Morgan is the only ono seriously injured. Several others, including Miss Mario Burke, the leading lady, were slightly injured, or are suffering from shock. . Many passengers were asleep at the tune of the mishap. In consequence of the darkness and complete nature of the wreck-, it was hours after the smash before the victims were recovered from the wreckage.