THE VICTORIAN RAILWAY DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2760, 8 February 1910, Page 5

THE VICTORIAN RAILWAY DISASTER.

CABLE NEWS.

THE SURVIVOR’S STATEMENT.

United Press Association —Copyright MELBOURNE, Feb. 7.

Tlie surviving driver, Gronn, Avas •scalded from the hip to the back and had his loins crushed and a hand broken. He states there was ,a Scotch mist, with slippery rails. As ho eaine down the Beaufort bank the first thing he knew was that the train Avas on No. 2 line. He called out, “Good God, •Charlie; avg are on No. 2. There’is a dead end —jump!” But before either could jump the crash came. The huge engines, Avith a heavy Avheat train behind, Avere piled up. He Avas gammed between the lever frame and the injector pipe by the ifoot. The gauge glass burst and began to scald him. It Avas aw-ful, but the steam made his foot slippery, and ho Avas able to get his (foot out and get on to the permanent .AA-ay. The driver of the second engine Avas nearly cut in two, while Russell had Ills head almost severed.

AWFUL SUFFERINGS

Gilliard underwent aAvful suffering. He was pinned in the wreckage in an upright position. He Avas enduring terrible agony from the heat of the boiler, AA'hile a hooked piece of metal penetrated his back in the region of 'tlie liver. For four and a half hours superhuman efforts were made to release him. Once or twice he encouraged the rescuers, who AA'ere doing the’r best for him. Occasionally a cry .avis Avrung from him by the pain caused by scalding Avater from the boiler. Daylight found him in tlie same state, a doctor standing by administering morphia, but Gilliard died before he Avas extricated.

THE TRAIN IMPROPERLY

EQUIPPED

Gronn complained before leaving Stnwoll, that his engine Avas not properly equipped Avith brakes. It appears the ‘engine AA'as practically -Avithout brake poAver on the fatal journey. The railway officials admit that the second engine Avas of low brake power. Tlie signalman’s story shows that the stationary engine had nothing to do Avith the disaster. The line had been made clear for the goods train. (He AA'ent down to the platform avi th the staff. When the train was Avitliin fifty yards of the station he suaa- she was travelling too fast. He ran back 'to the signalbox to turn her off tlie loop on to the main line, but Avas too late. She was then over the inter-sec-tion and making straight for the deadend. He heard Gilliard cry out, “For God’s sake, hit me on the head, put me out of this.” He then ran for a doctor.