The most appalling disaster in the history of the New Zealand Railways occurred yesterday morning just before daybreak, when the Main Trunk Express, southbound from Auckland to Wellington, crashed into a huge boulder that had rolled from the hillside on to the line near Ongarue, a sawmilling township about 15 miles from Taumarunui. The engine was derailed and three second-class carriages were telescoped. Fifteen persons were killed and many were injured. The train from Auckland ran into a slip in a cutting half a mile south of Ongarue. The engine and the postal van were derailed, and three carriages were telescoped. Six dead have been recovered, and 30 were injured. The debris is being searched, and there may be more dead. The accident happened at dawn. The train was travelling at express speed, and the engine was practically buried in the debris. No names are available as yet. As soon as the news of the disaster reached Taumarunui relief measures were taken. Two trains were sent to the scene. One left at 6.39am with doctors, nurses, and chemists, and with stretchers and other equipment. Another train left at 7 with more equipment and another doctor. It is expected back at Taumarunui at 8.30am, and arrangements have been made for the care of the injured. There is accommodation for 18 in the local hospital, and private individuals have offered their homes and services. Motor cars have been requisitioned as ambulances. The passengers on the train state emphatically that no blame could be attached to the driver, and that the train was not travelling fast, but at a steady speed. Daylight had not broken when the accident happened. Among those on board were two detectives, of Wellington (Revell and Walsh), and also the "Scandal" Theatrical Company, who helped to relieve the injured. Dr Bathgate and a medical student named Nash were on board, and rendered first aid. Their work was splendid. as was also that of Nurse A. Burke. The Maori Rugby team were also passengers. They rendered magnificent aid, Hingason and Bannister specially being prominent. The third carriage caught fire, but the flames were soon extinguished. Drs Fisher, Vivian, and Howard, of Taumarunui, with the nurses, did all that was possible for the injured, and a number of men from Ongarue and from a mill nearby worked strenuously to get the dead and injured out of the telescoped carriages. Some of the injured were sent back to Te Kuiti, but the majority were brought on to Taumarunui, with the exception of some of the dead. The bodies are now all removed from the scene. The driver of the train (Alexander Stewart) was not badly injured. The guard (Percy Hopkins) was not injured.
Massey moves sympathy
When the official statement made by the Minister of Railways regarding the accident had been delivered, the Prime Minister rose and moved the following resolution; "That this House adjourns till 7.50pm out of respect to the memory of our fellow-citizens who lost their lives in the fatal railway accident this morning. This House tenders to the relatives of the deceased an expression of its sincere sympathy. The House also desires to express the hope that those who have been injured will make a speedy recovery." — ODT, 7.7.1923
