DEATHS FROM THE TANGIWAI RAIL DISASTER
THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER 1953
MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY, TANGIWAI, NEW ZEALAND
At approximately 10.21pm on Christmas Eve 1953, the Wellington to Auckland Express plunged into the Whangaehu River at Tangiwai (Maori for Weeping Waters) killing 151 men, women and children.
Minutes before the train arrived, a lahar had burst from the crater of Mount Ruapehu and sent thousands of tons of water and rocks down the river weakening the bridge supports. The weight of the locomotive collapsed the bridge sending six carriages into the raging waters.
To this day, each Christmas Eve, a wreath is thrown from a train into the river as the train crosses the new bridge at Tangiwai. For further information on the Tangiwai disaster see TANGAWAI DISASTER
On the 18 March 2007 the lahar that had been expected from the crater at Mount Ruapehu finally happened. Flood warning devices in place on both the road and rail bridges at Tangiwai and also on the flood plain on the Desert Road (State Highway One) between Waiouru and Turangi worked and no lives were lost.
| ADIN | Henry | 66 | Married | Labourer | Purcell St, Foxton |
| ADIN | Queenie (Mrs) | 55 | Married | - | Purcell St, Foxton |
| ANDERSON | Margaret Jean | 38 | - | - | 39 Bristol Sq, Lower Hutt |
| ANGEL | Johannes Petrus | 23 | Single | Mechanic | Post and Telegraph Dept Hostel, Wellington |
| ATTREE | Trevor Crawford | 21 | Single | Apprentice | 7 Michael St, Masterton |
| BACON | William Trevor | 25 | Single | Clerk | 6 Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, Wellington |
| BAGLEY | Ann Victoria (Mrs) | 58 | Married | - | 33 Adams Terrace, Wellington |
| BAILLIE | Hilda Mary Grace | 36 | - | Typist | 126 Rutherford St, Nelson |
| BENGE | Colleen Frances | 21 | Single | Machinist | 18 Green St, Newtown, Wellington |
| BENTON | Beverley | 6 | Single | - | Ahura Street, Marton |
| BENTON | Edward Roslyn | 42 | Married | - | Ahura Street, Marton |
| BENTON | Florence Ann (Mrs) | 37 | Married | - | Ahura Street, Marton |
| BENTON | Glennis | 9 | Single | - | Ahura Street, Marton |
| BENTON | Roslyn | 3 | Single | - | Ahura Street, Marton |
| BOOKER | Murray Robert Grey (Murray Robert Craig) | 7 1/2 | Single | - | 13 Roy Street, Newtown, Wellington |
| BOUCHER | John White | 31 | - | Civil servant | Weka Street, Taihape |
| BRADLEY | Thomas John | 23 | - | Railway Employee | Manunui, Taumaranui |
| BRENNAN | Bettina Melody | 29 | Single | Typist | 43 Bristol Sq, Lower Hutt (Levin and Co Ltd, Wellington) |
| BRETT | Wilfred Lee | 53 | - | Bank officer | C/o BNZ, Taihape |
| BRIGGS | John Hammond | 23 | - | Civil engineer | Maxwell Road, Tauranga |
| BYARS | John Fleming | 29 | - | Engineer | Victoria Heights, Nelson (Levin and Co Ltd, Nelson) |
| CAPPER | Desmond James | 22 | - | Accountant | 1 Drummond St, Newtown, Wellington |
| CASLON | Patricia | 24 | - | - | 48 Seatoun Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington |
| CLARK | Trevor Charles | 21 | - | Clerk | Public Service Hostel, Wellington |
| COCHRANE | Georgina Maitland (Mrs) | 62 | Married | - | 226 Tremaine Avenue, Palmerston North |
| COCKBURN | Douglas Robertson | 12 | Single | - | 43 Te Ore Ore Road, Masterton |
| COCKBURN | John Harold | 17 | Single | - | 43 Te Ore Ore Road, Masterton |
| COOK | Edith Monica | 23 (24) | - | - | C/o YWCA, Brougham St, Wellington |
| CORMACK | David Avery | 60 | Married | Clerk | 13 Meeanee Quay, Napier |
| CORMACK | Violet Olive (Mrs) | 58 | Married | - | 13 Meeanee Quay, Napier |
| COX | John Morrison | 23 | - | - | 11 Mills Rd, Brooklyn, Wellington |
| COX | Mae Morrison | 47 | - | - | 11 Mills Rd, Brooklyn, Wellington |
| CRANCH | Jean Mary | 19 | - | - | C/o Public Service Hostel, Oriental Parade, Wellington |
| CROUCHER | Eric William | 24 | - | Electrician | 56 Calabar Rd, Mirimar, Wellington |
| CROWLEY | Joan May | 30 | Single | - | 45 Coromadel Street, Wellington |
| DAVIES | Gordon Leonard | 28 | Single | - | 27 Bridge St, Lower Hutt |
| DIGGLE | Janice | 4 mnths | Single | - | 51 Bamber St, Wanganui |
| DIGGLE | Norman Cyril | 33 | Married | Painter | 51 Bamber St, Wanganui (H/o Mrs Gladys Phoebe Diggle) |
| DIGGLE | Valerie Joyce | 2 | Single | - | 51 Bamber St, Wanganui |
| DOOLE | Elizabeth Graham | 26 | - | - | C/o Baptist Youth Hostel, Boulcott St, Wellington |
| DROWN | Alan Maxwell | 18 | - | Clerk | 29 Hamilton Road, Hataitai, Wellington |
| EDGECUMBE | Patricia Margarita | 22 | - | Clerk | 24 Osier Rd, Greenmeadows, Hastings |
| EILERS | Ngaire Joyce | 27 | - | - | 46 Buckle St, Wellington |
| ELFORD | Dianne Laurel | 12 (10) | Single | - | 9 Hungerford Road, Wellington |
| ELFORD | Evelyn May (Mrs) | 49 | Married | - | 31 Cave Road, Houghton Bay, Wellington (or 9 Hungerford Rd, Wellington) |
| ELFORD | Robert Charles | 59 | Married | Carpenter | 32 Cave Road, Houghton Bay, Wellington (or 9 Hungerford Rd, Wellington) |
| ELSLEY | Cecilie Lily | 29 | Single | Typist | 8 Fitzherbert Terrace, Wellington |
| ENSOR | Mabel Lay (Mabs) | 23 | Single | Clerk | 12 Anzac Avenue, Morrinsville |
| EVES | Roberta Elizabeth (Elizabeth Roberta) | 23 | - | - | 48 Seatoun Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington |
| FITZGERALD | Geraldine | 6 | Single | - | 269 Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt |
| FITZGERALD | Ian Gerald | 23 | - | Tailor's cutter | 15 Ariki St, Lower Hutt |
| FITZGERALD | John Edward | 12 (13) | Single | - | 269 Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt |
| FITZGERALD | Veronica Mary Margaret (Mrs) | 40 | Married | - | 269 Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt |
| FLAVELL | Sydney Walter | 59 | - | Labourer | 14 Mudie St, Lower Hutt |
| FOOTE | Harold Victor | 27 | - | Hatter | 11 Brookside Terrace, Christchurch |
| FOOTE | Ian | 7 | Single | - | 11 Brookside Terrace, Christchurch |
| GOLDING | Heather Edna | 29 | - | - | 1 Marsden Ave, Karori, Wellington |
| GOODHUE | Frederick Gordon | 24 | - | Clerk | Waihou, Waikato (or 48 Waipapa Rd, Wellington) |
| GRAY | Te Wheturere James | - | - | - | - |
| GRIGOR | Sheila | 18 | Single | Typist | Fairview Guest House, Church Street, Wellington |
| HALE | Eileen Frances (Mrs) | 35 | Married | - | 69 Marsden Street, Lower Hutt |
| HALE | Robert Joseph | 14 | Single | - | 69 Marsden Street, Lower Hutt |
| HALLAM | Kathleen Florence | 24 | - | - | C/o YWCA, Brougham St, Wellington |
| HAMMOND | Ronald Charles | 25 | - | - | RNZAF, Shelly Bay, Wellington |
| HANLEY | Christina Marie (Mrs) | 25 | Married | - | 6 Hyde St, Wainuiomata |
| HANLEY | Evelyn | 18mnths | Single | - | 6 Hyde St, Wainuiomata |
| HANLEY | Robert | 29 | Married | - | 6 Hyde St, Wainuiomata |
| HAYLER (HAVLER) | John Herbert | 27 | Single | Storeman | 89 Jackson Street, Petone |
| HOLLOWAY | Frederick Walter | 26 | - | Clerk | 34 Garden Road, Wellington |
| HYLANDS | Arthur | 53 | Married | Railway Employee | 32 Rosewarne St, Christchurch |
| HYLANDS | Elizabeth (Mrs) | 53 | Married | - | 32 Rosewarne St, Christchurch |
| JOSEPH (JOSEPHS) | Stanley Victor | 18 | Single | Labourer | 65 Paice Avenue, Sandringham, Auckland |
| KARAM | Madeline Bernadette (Madaline Bernadette) | 26 (28) | Single | Clerk | 24 Lincoln Road, Springvale, Wellington (or Wanganui?) (17 Beach St, Petone) |
| KEMP | Reongaro | 35 (23) | Single | WAAF | RNZAF, Shelly Bay, Wellington |
| KENNEDY | Suzanne Katherine | 26 | Single | Clerk | 19 Ellice St, Wellington |
| KENT | Frederick Shipley | 65 | Married | Storeman | 24 Seddon Street, Naenae, Wellington |
| KENT | Jessie Elizabeth (Mrs) | 62 | Married | - | 24 Seddon Street, Naenae, Wellington |
| KUKURUZSNYAK (KUKURUZRNYAK) | Balazs (Balaz S) | 26 | Single | Railway Employee | 16 Hobson Crescent, Wellington (Railway Settlement, Aotea Quay, Wellington) |
| KURA % | Mere | - | - | - | - |
| LIGHTFOOT | Una Constance | 18 | Single | Railway Employee | Girls Hostel, 16 Tinakori Road, Wellington (46 Tinakori Rd, Wellington) |
| LLOYD | Barbara Anne | 16 | Single | - | 338 College St, Palmerston North |
| LOVE | Nerissa Ann | 19 | Single | Typist | 57 Compton Crescent, Lower Hutt |
| McFADGEN | Gwendoline Dorothy (Mrs) | 34 | Married | - | 24 Adelaide St, Petone |
| McGINLEY (McGILNEY) | Rae Marie | 26 | Single | Typist | 9 Carnot Street, Rotorua |
| McLEOD | Gordon Alexander | 21 | Single | Clerk | H M Customs, Wellington |
| McMANN | Royal Josephine | 17 | Single | - | Amesbury House, Palmerston North |
| MILLER | Edwina Hilda | 27 | - | Civil servant | 26 Tinakori Road, Wellington |
| MILLER | Jeanette (Jeanette Neil Johnstone) | 32 | Single | Librarian | 81 Kelburn Parade, Wellington |
| MILLER | June Mary Mabel | 29 | Single | Typist | 81 Kelburn Parade, Wellington |
| MOIR | Thomas Rowe Scott | 19 | Single | - | 177 Queenwood Rd, Levin |
| MOLEN | Phillip James Vander | 19 | Single | Civil servant | - |
| MONTEITH | Michael Thomas | 25 | - | - | C/o State Forest Service, Wellington |
| MOODY | Melanie Carol Anne | 5 | Single | - | Nursery Road, Masterton |
| MOORE | Carol May | 18 | - | Domestic | Reservoir Rd, Dunedin |
| MORGAN * | Horace Royston | 26 | - | Clerk | 34 Garden Road, Wellington |
| MORGAN * | John Henry | - | - | - | - |
| MURRAY | Walter Edward | 54 (53) | Married | - | 39 Royal Tce, Dunedin |
| NICHOLLS | Eva (Eve) (Lottie Mrs) | 45 | Married | - | 117 Russell Street, Palmerston North |
| NICHOLLS | Herbert James (James) | 13 | Single | - | 9 Hungerford Road, Wellington (117 Russell St, Palmerston North) |
| NICHOLLS | Jack Raymond | 11 | Single | - | 117 Russell Street, Palmerston North |
| NICHOLLS | Paul Alan | 9 | Single | - | 117 Russell Street, Palmerston North |
| NICHOLLS | Raymond Herbert | 45 (50) | Married | - | 117 Russell Street, Palmerston North |
| NIDDRIE | Irene Patricia Christine (Mrs) | 29 | Married | - | 54 Hill St, Wellington |
| OLIVER | Betty | 26 (27) | Single | Student | 22 Belle Vue Ave, Northcote, Auckland |
| OLSON | Olaf Patrick | 33 | Married | Civil servant | Lewis Rd, Lynmore, Rotorua (C/o DSIR Wellington) |
| OSBORN | Margaret Elizabeth | 18 | Single | Clerk | 3 Bond St, Marton |
| PAPARIKI (RAWERI) | Linda | 16 | Single | Factory Worker | 31 Randwick Cres, Lower Hutt |
| PARKER | Charles John Henry | 52 | Married | Engine Driver | 22 Eagle Street, Taihape |
| PARRY | Herbert Staveley (Herbert Stanley) | 70 | Widower | - | 37 Thorndon Quay, Wellington |
| PERRY | Margaret Jean | 18 | Single | Machinist | 63 Todman Street, Brooklyn, Wellington |
| POLGAR | John | 25 | - | Cargo worker | 16 Hobson Crescent, Wellington |
| PORTER | Elizabeth Mary (Elizabeth May) | 25 | - | - | Boulcott St, Wellington |
| POWICK | Josephine Margaret Ellen (Josephine) | 20 | Single | Dressmaker | Grove Rd, Blenheim (NOK Mr Charles Thomas Clarence Powick (father), Scotland St, Picton) |
| REARDON | Pamela Waveney | 20 | Single | Civil servant | Hill View Cres, Taumaranui |
| REDMAN | Lancelot (Lance) | 33 | Married | Railway Fireman | Robin St, Taihape |
| RHODES | Joseph Henry | 21 | - | - | C/o Post and Telegraph Hostel, Wellington |
| ROBERTS | Shirley Anne | 18 | Single | - | 105 Sefton Street, Highland Park, Wellington |
| RUSSELL | Jim Leslie | 19 | Single | Carpenter | 21 Ashridge Rd, Napier |
| RYAN | Leonard Arthur Vivian | 24 | - | Labourer | Kaitieke |
| SANDERS | Margaret | 21 | - | Telephone operator | 31 Hobson St, Wellington |
| SCOTLAND | Alexander | 53 | - | Shepherd | Flock House, Bulls |
| SCOTT | Robert Aitchison | 23 | - | - | 290 Church St, Palmerston North |
| SHANDLEY | Richard | 23 | Single | Carpenter | 290 Devonport Road, Tauranga (10 Edward St, Timaru) |
| SHARP | Donald William | 25 | Single | Dispenser | 7 Wilson Street, Hawera |
| SQUIRE | Pearl Jessie | 41 | - | - | 85 King St, Sydenham, Christchurch |
| STEAD | Daphne Lily | 32 | Single | Clerk | Sydney, Australia (Grafton North, NSW, Australia) |
| STEVENS | John Edward Lee | 29 (20) | Single | Mail Room Attendant | Post and Telegraph Department Hostel, Johnsonville, Wellington |
| STOKES | Audrey Mavis | 25 | - | - | 36 Huia Street, Pahiatua |
| STOKES | Joseph Charles | 67 | Married | Joiner | 36 Huia Street, Pahiatua |
| TER HUPPEN | Gerrit Willem (Mr) (Gerrit William) | 26 | Married | Optician | 3 Fairview Cres, Kelburn, Wellington (15 Upper Lewisville Tce, Wellington) |
| TER HUPPEN | Janna Manna (Mrs) | 27 | Married | - | 3 Fairview Cres, Kelburn, Wellington (15 Upper Lewisville Tce, Wellington) |
| THOMASS | Neil Lewis | 18 | Single | Motor mechanic | Hopelands, Woodville |
| THOMASS | Paul Garry | 13 | Single | - | Hopelands, Woodville |
| THONISSEN (THONNISSEN) | Adrianus Hubertus | 27 | - | Railway Employee | Gracefield Camp, Lower Hutt |
| TORREY | Joyce Ellen | 26 | - | Civil servant | 24 Lincoln Road, Wanganui |
| TREVELYAN | Janet Mary | 21 | - | Typist | 55 Compton Cres, Lower Hutt |
| VAKALALA | Aisea Sevutia (Mr) | 20 | - | Student | Palmerston North Boys High School |
| WALE | Arthur John (Arthur) | 32 | - | - | 13 Roy St, Newtown, Wellington |
| WALKER | Evelyn Joy | 18 | Single | Dressmaker | Comely Bank, Sawyers Bay, Dunedin |
| WALKER | Mereana | 22 | Single | Clerk | Herd Street Post Office, Wellington |
| WARRILOW | Dorothy Alice Eleanor (Mrs) | 21 | Married | - | 102 Church St, Masterton |
| WARRILOW | Douglas Claude | 31 | Married | Clerk | 102 Church St, Masterton |
| WELLINGTON | Gordon William | 35 | - | Labourer | 19 Perry St, Masterton |
| WELLINGTON | Lillian Beatrice (Mrs) | 71 | Widow | - | 19 (90) Perry Street, Masterton |
| WHITE | Margaret Rose | 21 | - | - | C/o Immigration Hostel, Trentham, Wellington |
| WILSON | Betty Amy | 24 | Single | Telegraphist | 26 Tinakori Road, Wellington |
| WILTON | Melva Doreen | 16 | Single | - | 12 Matai Street, Masterton |
| WOOD | Amelia Agnes (Mrs) | 65 | Married | - | 58 Awarua St, Ngaio, Wellington |
| WOOD | James | 65 | Married | Sailmaker | 58 Awarua St, Ngaio, Wellington |
| WOOD | James (Junior) | 15 | Single | - | 58 Awarua St, Ngaio, Wellington |
| WORKMAN | Doris Edith | 41 | - | - | - |
* The following was listed in the deaths in the Bay of Plenty Times but does not appear on the Tangiwai Memorial.
| MORGAN * | Ronald (Donald) | 26 | - | North Lane, Wellington |
% Alternative entry for Mere KURA
| HARU | Kura | 19 | - | Civil Servant | 22 Oriental Tce, Wellington |
The following are some of the survivors from the Tangiwai disaster. There was thought to be 278 passengers on the train, plus five rail staff and two postal officials.
| ALAWAY | William E | - | Car Attendant |
| BAIL | F Mr | Wellington | - |
| BARLTROP | Clifton | Taumaranui | - |
| BEARSLEY | S R Mr | Matamata | - |
| BELL | A N Miss | Wellington | - |
| BELL | Arthur | - | - |
| BLAIR | J A Mr | Christchurch | - |
| BOLGER | Mr | Paekakariki | - |
| BREEN | Mr | Taita, Wellington | - |
| BREEN | Mrs | Taita, Wellington | - |
| CASSIDY | Master | Waiouru | - |
| CHAMBERLAIN | T S Mr | Mangatoki | - |
| CLIFFORD | C C Mr | Wellington | - |
| COVENY | R E Mr | Christchurch | - |
| DAVIES | Mervyn (son of W Mr) | Mosgiel | - |
| DAVIES | Mrs (Wife of W Mr) | Mosgiel | - |
| DAVIES | W Mr | Mosgiel | - |
| DEAN | Minnie Miss | Dargaville | - |
| DIGGLE | A Mr | Wellington | - |
| FALLOON | Glenis Miss (16 yrs) | Christchurch | - |
| FALLOON | John C Mr | Christchurch | - |
| FALLOON | John C Mrs | Christchurch | - |
| FITZGERALD | Jim | 269 Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt | - |
| GREEN | Louis | - | - |
| HARTNELL | E J Mr | Wanganui | - |
| HAYMAN | Mr | Palmerston North | - |
| HAYMAN | Mrs | Palmerston North | - |
| HOLMAN | John Mr | Wellington | - |
| HOLMAN | John Mrs | Wellington | - |
| INGLIS | William Ian | Wellington | Railway Guard |
| JEFFERRIES | M H Mr | Wellington | - |
| KYLE | R Mr | - | - |
| KYLE | R Mrs | - | - |
| MAHY | Barbara Miss (17 years) | Whakatane | - |
| MAHY | John (15 years) | Whakatane | - |
| McGREGOR | Beverley Miss | Rotorua | - |
| McLEAN | D Mr and Mrs and 2 children | Mt Cargill, Dunedin | - |
| MORGAN | Colin | Lower Hutt | - |
| RANSFIELD | Hemi Matiaha | - | Assistant Guard |
| SEUMANUTAFA | Paul Mr | Paekakariki | - |
| SIATAGA | Billy Mr | Paekakariki | - |
| SIMM | P Mr and son | Wellington | - |
| SMITH | J Miss | Stokes Valley | - |
| SMITH | R Mr and Mrs and son | Wellington | - |
| SULENTA | Charles D | Auckland | - |
| SUTHERLAND | D Miss | Palmerston North | - |
| TIETJENS | R Miss | Paekakariki | - |
| WASLEY | Len | - | Railway Employee |
FAMILIES I AM RESEARCHING | MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL STUFF | NEW ZEALAND — ON LINE GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES | NEW ZEALAND — YOUNG BOY IMMIGRANT SCHEME 1911 — 1914 | NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES | NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND LAND WARS — MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR ONE | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR TWO | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY LOCATION | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY CONFLICT | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR — MILITARY NURSES | PAKEHA/MAORI TRANSLITERATIONS | PASSENGER LISTS TO NEW ZEALAND | SHAND — FAMILY HISTORY | SOUTH TARANAKI, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | SPONDON, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 1865 — 1947 | WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES