ONGARUE DISASTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15294, 24 July 1923, Page 5

ONGARUE DISASTER.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. THE ENGINE DRIVER'S EVIDENCE. PLACE NOT DEEMED DANGEROUUS. By Telegraph.—P'-ess Association. AUCKLAND, Tuesday. The inquirv into the circumstances connected with the Ongarue disaster was continued to-day. The evidence of the engine-driver on the express, Alexander S. Stewart, was taken at his residence, Parncll, as he was not in a fit state of health to attend. He said the brakes were tested at Poro-"0-ta'rao, and were satisfactory. The train passed through Ongarue at about 25 miles an hour, and after that ho shut off steam and " drifted " along at about 20 miles an hour, but the speed may have increased up to 30 miles an hour by the time the engine struck the slip. After leaving Onganie, the headlight was burning well, lie did not see anything before running into the slip. When going round a curve to the right the headlight always shone on the opposite bank. The first warning he had was when he was Into the slip. He applied the brakes immediately he got any warning of the slip. The engine appeared to strike a heavy l stone, was tossed about, and after travelling some distance, was thrown into the bank. Something hit witness on the head, and he was rendered unconscious. Witness described his experiences following his regaining his senses. JJr Hiddell: Could you account for the smoke-box door being broken off? The only explanation was that there were several large stones about, and the engine must have struck one in passing. Mr Riddell: Do you know of your own knowledge whether the slip was moving?—l noticed a whole lot come down' when helping with the rescue work, and there had been a rush of mud through the window of the cab. Not Considered a Dangerous Spot. Continuing, witness said he was one of the flrst drivers to run on the Main Trunk line, and had been running on it for years. He had been off the run for some time, but had been back again for about four years, and knew the line as well as the best. He did not regard this part as dangerous, and did- not anticipate any trouble. He knew other places which were more dangerous, and when ooming to a-dan-gerous place would take extra precautions. He did not consider there was any necessity to do so here. He had no necessity to speed up. Mr Riddell: How do you account for the boulder near the engine on the right-hand side? —I think it must have come down at the same time. I do not know if it was the one that broke the smoke-box. I think it must have been on the line, and was driven, along by the cow-catcher. To Mr Sterling: My impression is that the slip came down immediately before we came along. 1 do not think the big houlder hit thr smoke box. I think the vibration r! the train had a lot to do with the slip coming down just then. To Mr Marchbanks: It was a clear, frosty night. There was no need for the surface men to anticipate trouble. Had the slip been on the -straight he could have seen it. Witness said that had he thought the place was dangerous or had he anticipated danger, he would have eased up. A driver felt for himself as well as for others. He did not see any gas cylinder alight at the slip. This concluded the evidence.

INQUEST AT TAUMARUNUI. MEDICAL EVIDENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. TAUMARUNUI, Tuesday. The adjourned inquest on the Ongarue disaster was resumed to-day before the District Coroner, Mr Laird. Inspector Foully represented the police, and Mr Isaacs, the Railway Department. Dr. Welby Fisher, Medical Superintendent at Taumarunui hospital, gave evidence of the work done to rescue and assist the injured. On arrival at the scene Dr. Bathgate showed him what had been done, and he helped to remove some of the dead and injured. As soon as the second relief train came he arranged with the Traffic Manager for the speedy transfer of the injured to the hospital. Dr. Howard, who arrived by the second train, proceeded to Ongarue, where five of the injured required attention Witness arranged that Dr. Howard should follow him to the hospital. Subsequently Doctors Balhgalc and Vivian boarded the return train with him with all the available injured. Three patients died on the way. On arrival he arranged with Dr. Vivian to attend to the transhipment and to follow to the hospital with Dr. Bathgate, while witness motored to the hospital to prepare for the patients.

Questioned by the coroner, witness said ho did not see any irreverence shown to the dead, but on the contrary every respect was shown. The suggestion might have ariscn'becauso attention had to be directed to the injured. Witness arrived at the hospital at 10.45 a.m. Dr. Vivian came shortly atfer in .accordance with the arrangement, but did not. remain. Between one and (two o'clock Dr. Vivian was sent for. Witness had made arrangements for all medical men (o go io the hospital. Doctor Bathgate went away fur refreshment after his arduous work. Dr. Vivian informed witness after arrival (hat lie wished to .get away, and did not think he would be required. He asked witness if there was anything particular to be done. Witness was unable to specify except to do as he was doing—• going over the cases and giving attention for shock. All the injured till then had received first aid. Dr. Vivian said he was prepared to return later when operations were to be performed. Ho exercised his own judgment in leaving or staying. Dr. Howard came after the arrival of Hie second relief train. The shortage of medical men for two hours was not detrimental to the patients. Witness understood that Dr. Vivian left because he had other pressing business. From a public point of view Dr. Vivian may have erred in judgment. It was certainly no desire of witness that he should go.