The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957)(about) |
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Monday 29 January 1906
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3 corrections, most recently by SheffieldPark - Show corrections
SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
A SHARP CURVE.
The scene of the accident is about four miles from Upper Ferntree Gully. There are many sharp curves on the narrow gauge
line from Upper Ferntree Gully, and it was at the centre of such a curve that the
accident occurred. Like other curves this one was fitted with a guard rail, but these
did not keep, the locomotive on the line. The line runs round then side of a hill, and is laid in a narrow cutting. Below the embankment the ground falls away in gullies of varying depths. Had the derailment occurred some 20 yards further on, it is
practically certain that there would have a frightful death toll, because at that further distance there is a sharp drop from the edge of the rail embankment to a creek
that flows some 50ft below. Further on still is a trestle bridge, and if the mishap had occurred at this place the consequences
must also have been dreadfully disasterous
"It's very lucky that the thing happened where it did, and not a little further on."
was a common remark among those who were among the passengers by the ill-fated
excursion train.
All accounts agree that the spectacle which presented itself directly after the accident was a harrowing one in the extreme. Men, women and children, many bleeding,
all more or less dazed, and some hysterical, dragged themselves, or were helped out
from the wrecked four trucks. The passen- gers in the rear part of the train, which escaped damage, promptly went to the help of their unfortunate fellows. People living near by hurried to the scene, and placed all their resources at the disposal of the
sufferers. Mr. John Lipscombe, who lives close by, offered to make his house available as a hospital, but is was not deemed necessary to accept the offer. The was no ambulance
stretcher in the guard's van of the smashed up train, so boards that had formed seats in the trucks, were made to serve as stretchers for carryin injured people from the shattered trucks to temporary resting places in the shade.