With 151 people killed and many injured, the rail accident at Tangiwai on 24 December 1953 was one of New Zealand’s worst disasters. Because the following day was Christmas Day, there were no newspapers, but on 26 December they devoted their issues to the tragedy. This radio interview is with a local resident who assisted with the rescue. He mentions that the river rose similarly in 1922–23.
Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (D series – Tangiwai rail disaster/Reference number DCDR 71A).
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference:
New Zealand Herald, 26 December 1953, p. 1
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