Ongarue Railway Accident 6 July 1923, 17 Dead, 28 Seriously InjuredOngarue Railway Accident 6 July 1923, 17 Dead, 28 Seriously Injured

Early in the morning the passenger express from Auckland ploughed into a landslide. The weather had been very wet for some time and there were other problems on the line. Unfortunately a boulder was amongst the slip debris and this caused the derailment. The front passsenger carriages telescoped within each other and this caused the resulting carnage. The accident scene was just south of the small settlement of Ongarue. Residents raced along the railway line to help, assisted after sometime by a relief train from Taumarunui bringing doctors, nurses and supplies. By far the worst railway accident at the time, it was widely reported. The book has been reseacrched and written by the grandson of the man incharge at Taumarunui at the time. Many photos, newspaper reports and details of the Inquest into the tragedy make this a very informative and interesting read.