Today in New Zealand *Disasters* History 26th March

[JennyLeez]

RATANA (WANGANUI) RAIL ACCIDENT - SATURDAY 26 MARCH 1938
In the early hours of Easter Saturday, 26 March 1938, the "special" passenger excursion train from Wellington to New Plymouth derailed four miles north of Turakina on the Ratana flat. (Today the rail does not follow this route but heads north from Turakina towards Fordell)

At the time the area was covered with haze and banks of fog. The driver of the train, Edward PERCIVAL had not driven this section of track for many years and became dis-orientated. The train ran into a bank of fog and the driver missed a speed restriction board thinking he was further from a "6.4 chain radius curve" (approx 130 metre radius) than he actually was. The driver made a short light application of the brakes but it was not enough and the train entered the curve at an estimated 50mph instead of the recommended 20mph.

The subsequent inquiry found that the driver was a "steady, competent, experienced driver with a first-class record." The excessive speed was found to be "an honest error of judgement to which the presence of haze and fog contributed. The inquiry recommended that speed recorders be installed on all engines used for hauling express, mail and passenger trains.

Seven people died and twelve people were taken to Wanganui Hospital.

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