WELSH RAILWAY SMASH

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14584, 5 February 1921, Page 5

WELSH RAILWAY SMASH

FAULTY HANDLING OF TABLETS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 3. At the inquest on the Abermule disaster Ernest Rogers , a 17-year-old porter, save evidence that he released a cablet permitting the express to enter the single lin< % section from Newtown to Abermule without informing the stationmaster, who directly afterwards started a slow tram from Abermule towards Newton by unwillingly handing back to the driver the tablet the latter had brought over from the preceding section, both failing to perceive the error. •-

A traftlc controller deposed to finding U.e (lreman of the express wandering l in a field carrying two tablets. He was I dazed and unable to say where lie j found them, une of the tablets was ! lor his train to travel and the other ' tablet was from the slow train, which ! was flung in his direction as the result :ol the collision. j OFFICIALS SEVERELY CENSURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February -i, 5.3 p.m. LONDON, February 3. Lewis, the stationinaster at Abermule, burst into tears when giving evidence. He said he thought the boy who handed him the tablet from the slow train said, "Take the tablet," whereas he I declared that he asked Lewis to change I the tablet. When Lewis realised the : terrible situation he shouted to the j signalman to drop the distant signal, i but it was too late. A verdict, of gross negligence was returned against Lewis ami the signalman Jones, and of negligence and excess of duty against Rogers and a clerk named Thompson. The coroner said that the finding amounted to a verdict of manslaughter asainst Lewis and Jones. The jury then reconsidered their verdict, and decided that Lewis and Jones deserved the severest censure, but I lie negligence did not amount to manslaughter.