The Tangiwai disaster is New Zealand's worst ever rail accident. It occurred on 24 Dec 1953 when the Whangaehu River bridge collapsed beneath a Wellington to Auckland express passenger train at Tangiwai, in the central North Island of New Zealand. The locomotive and first six carriages derailed into the river, killing 151 people. The Board of Inquiry into the accident found that it was caused by the collapse of the tephra dam holding back nearby Mount Ruapehu's crater lake creating a large lahar in the Whangaehu River, which destroyed one of the bridge piers at Tangiwai only minutes before the train reached the bridge.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were visiting New Zealand on their first royal tour when the disaster occurred. The Queen made her Christmas broadcast from Auckland, finishing with a message of sympathy to the people of New Zealand. Prince Philip attended a state funeral for many of the victims.
The death toll of 151 consisted of the Driver, Charles Parker (1901-1953) and his fireman Lance Redman (1920-1953), 148 second-class passengers and one first-class passenger. Twenty of the bodies were never found and were presumed to have been carried 75 milts (120 km) downriver to the ocean.Among the dead was Nerissa Love, the fiancee of cricketer Bob Blair, who was playing in a test match in South Africa at the time. On going out to bat after his loss, Blair received a standing ovation.
Full story & photos .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangiwai_disaster
The death list .. https://www.sooty.nz/tangiwai.html
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were visiting New Zealand on their first royal tour when the disaster occurred. The Queen made her Christmas broadcast from Auckland, finishing with a message of sympathy to the people of New Zealand. Prince Philip attended a state funeral for many of the victims.
The death toll of 151 consisted of the Driver, Charles Parker (1901-1953) and his fireman Lance Redman (1920-1953), 148 second-class passengers and one first-class passenger. Twenty of the bodies were never found and were presumed to have been carried 75 milts (120 km) downriver to the ocean.Among the dead was Nerissa Love, the fiancee of cricketer Bob Blair, who was playing in a test match in South Africa at the time. On going out to bat after his loss, Blair received a standing ovation.
Full story & photos .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangiwai_disaster
The death list .. https://www.sooty.nz/tangiwai.html
The Tangiwai disaster is New Zealand's worst ever rail accident. It occurred on 24 Dec 1953 when the Whangaehu River bridge collapsed beneath a Wellington to Auckland express passenger train at Tangiwai, in the central North Island of New Zealand. The locomotive and first six carriages derailed into the river, killing 151 people. The Board of Inquiry into the accident found that it was caused by the collapse of the tephra dam holding back nearby Mount Ruapehu's crater lake creating a large lahar in the Whangaehu River, which destroyed one of the bridge piers at Tangiwai only minutes before the train reached the bridge.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were visiting New Zealand on their first royal tour when the disaster occurred. The Queen made her Christmas broadcast from Auckland, finishing with a message of sympathy to the people of New Zealand. Prince Philip attended a state funeral for many of the victims.
The death toll of 151 consisted of the Driver, Charles Parker (1901-1953) and his fireman Lance Redman (1920-1953), 148 second-class passengers and one first-class passenger. Twenty of the bodies were never found and were presumed to have been carried 75 milts (120 km) downriver to the ocean.Among the dead was Nerissa Love, the fiancee of cricketer Bob Blair, who was playing in a test match in South Africa at the time. On going out to bat after his loss, Blair received a standing ovation.
Full story & photos .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangiwai_disaster
The death list .. https://www.sooty.nz/tangiwai.html
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were visiting New Zealand on their first royal tour when the disaster occurred. The Queen made her Christmas broadcast from Auckland, finishing with a message of sympathy to the people of New Zealand. Prince Philip attended a state funeral for many of the victims.
The death toll of 151 consisted of the Driver, Charles Parker (1901-1953) and his fireman Lance Redman (1920-1953), 148 second-class passengers and one first-class passenger. Twenty of the bodies were never found and were presumed to have been carried 75 milts (120 km) downriver to the ocean.Among the dead was Nerissa Love, the fiancee of cricketer Bob Blair, who was playing in a test match in South Africa at the time. On going out to bat after his loss, Blair received a standing ovation.
Full story & photos .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangiwai_disaster
The death list .. https://www.sooty.nz/tangiwai.html
Inscription
In Loving Memory
NEIL LEWIS
Aged 18 years
PAUL GARRY THOMASS
Aged 13 years
Killed Tangiwai Railway Disaster
Xmas Eve 1953
"Awaiting The Life Given"
Gravesite Details
Interment ID: 7523
Funeral Director: Thomas Grigg & Son
Funeral Officiator: Pastor Giblett
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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