Incident The disaster occurred at 2:30am when the train was passing over the bridge above the flooded Medway Creek. The pylons of the bridge had been severely damaged by the impact from a 12-tonne
gum tree that had been swept downstream in the floodwaters. As the train crossed the creek, the bridge collapsed causing the two
steam locomotives and three
sleeping cars to fall 7.6 metres into the flooded creek.
Rescue One of the people credited with helping save injured passengers, including 15 children, at the accident scene was Lawrence Murray, an Aboriginal railway fettler who had been travelling in the last carriage with his wife, children and grandchild. During the resulting investigation, a
Board of Inquiry heard that Murray had rushed down to the wreckage which was partially submerged in the floodwaters and helped carry children to the creek bank before entering the other carriages to look for more survivors.
Aftermath Several anniversary commemorations have been held since the accident. A museum at Bogantungan displays memorabilia from the accident. == References ==