A digital narrative by Sam Lusty

1. A Nasty Christmas present A digital narrative by Sam Lusty The Tangiwai Disaster

2. I am Cyril Ellis witness of the Tangiwaidisaster. I was the man who tried to stop the train on that tragic day, and this is my story.

3. It was 10.21 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1953. The Wellington to Auckland night express set off carrying 285 passengers. Most people were on their way to meet their relatives and the queen.

4. I was in my car when I came across a collapsed bridge as I saw the lights of a locomotive heading toward it I new it wasn’t going to be good.

5. I frantically ran over the bridge that was only being held up by the concrete the supports had been washed away. As I waved my torch trying to stop the train but it was too late.

6. The locomotive slammed on its brakes but due to the wet tracks it slid and caused me to jump out of the way as it slammed into the concrete on the other side.

7. It had almost made it across when what was left of the bridge collapsed leaving the train dangling from the bridge, as I jumped on and climbed into car z warning the passengers to move in the carriage behind.

8. As soon as 22 passengers had moved into the other carriage, car z broke away and plunged into the river. Survivors were able to climb out of the smashed windows and form a human chain to get to the river bank.

9. People were panicking farmers and fireman were trying to help people inthe wreckages. We all felt strongly for the family's that lost loved ones. It was scary seeing bodies floating down the river.

10. From the 285 people on board 151 died it was a very sad day, and the bodies still lie at the Tangiwai National Memorial at Karori. 20 of the bodies were never found.

11. A further search down the river revealed toys, presents and teddy bears covered in mud from the lahar. This disaster will never be forgotten.

12. Bibliography: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/new-zealand-disasters/timeline