Tangiwai Railway Disaster (B)log #2

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-tangiwai-railway-disaster
An article written by Neil Atkinson, Nicola Barnett and Steve Waters about New Zealand's worst railway disaster, the 'Tangiwai Railway Disaster'. The loss of 151 passengers out of 285, plus the crew onboard, the Wellington-Auckland night express plunged into the flooded Whangaehu River at Tangiwai, 10km west of Waiouru in the central North Island, at 10:21pm Christmas Eve 1953.

I think the article written was very interesting and gripping on many people's attention, especially New Zealanders and Historians. I may not be able to relate to the passengers but I can feel the sympathy for the family member's that were waiting for their children or relatives to be home for Christmas. As the name of Tangiwai is also 'weeping waters', many families were. Knowing that many presents won't be opened, but many hearts will be broken as the population was small, so many was affected by this tragic event. However many people didn't know whether their friend or family member was alive or not, 'Identifying victims is a major task following any mass tragedy, 21 victims were unidentified'. I feel like losing a New Zealand's citizens and tourists would be very heart-breaking but losing a family member or friend would be worst, especially before Christmas Day as it is a holiday for people to be together to celebrate their year and lives. Just like the event in 9/11, in america many were heartbroken as their symbolic building was destroyed but so were many lives of family and friends on the same day.

Also a interesting thing in the article is when after the tragedy, dealing with the dead was the hardest for New Zealand. Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip were visiting the country when the disaster occurred, so on 31 of December Prince
Philip attended the state funeral for the 21 unidentified victims. Christmas Day was a day many New Zealanders had their opportunity to express grief, the Queen mentioned the event in her Christmas message, quoting 'But in these hundred years, New Zealand has grown to be a sovereign and mature state.' She also visited a couple who had survived the disaster. I admire the fact that the Queen herself and her dear husband, Prince Philip also paid their respects and attended the funerals of 21 victims who had no identity, therefore no family or friends. The amount of love and care they had for the people and New Zealand itself, was admiring. Also the fact many New Zealanders caring and taking care of each other while going through the problem is very touching and made me feel proud to be a New Zealander myself. Connecting to a scene in the film called 'The Power of One', when the afrikaans show their respect to Maria's funeral even when they are not related, but for her courage for fighting for the black rights and the love of Peekay, they paid their respects and appreciation for her actions and thanked her. Especially when she disobeyed her dad's orders only to help them out.

As a child growing up with these historical events to learn about our country is very important and helpful. I recommend this article and this story for many to read and reflect on our ancestors history.