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N0KFQ > TODAY 24.12.10 21:18l 42 Lines 1640 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: Today in History - Dec 24
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Sent: 101224/1902Z @:N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA #:24808 [Branson] FBB7.00i $:24808_N
From: N0KFQ@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
To : TODAY@WW
Dec 24, 1953:
Volcanic eruption sweeps away train
In a highly unusual chain of events, a volcanic eruption in New
Zealand causes a flood that sweeps away a train filled with
passengers on this day in 1953. More than 150 people lost their
lives in this improbable disaster.
At the top of a 9,000-foot volcano, Mount Ruapehu, on New
Zealand's North Island laid a lake and a glacier. On December 24,
a minor eruption of the volcano released the lake waters down a
glacial valley and gorge. The surging water thundered down the
mountain toward the town of Waiouri. Before it reached the
community, it slammed into a bridge just before a train crossed
it.
The Wellington to Auckland express train had nine cars filled
with people traveling on Christmas Eve. Many were on their way to
see Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who was making a rare
visit to New Zealand. The charging lake water slammed into the
Tangiwai Railroad Bridge and weakened it so much that when the
train came to the bridge, it gave way, sending six cars of the
train plunging into the flood water. They sank almost
immediately. Out of the 285 passengers on board, 151 died, and
many of the bodies were never recovered.
Some of the train cars were later found many miles downstream
from the bridge. It is estimated that millions of gallons of
water had been released from the lake due to the eruption.
However, other than that done to the railroad bridge, there was
no other damage. The water simply flowed into the Whangaehu River
and out to sea.
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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