Mike Lawrence, Tangiwai disaster - Manawatu Conversations

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 3rd February 2026.
Mike Lawrence recalls hearing about the Tangiwai disaster as a 13-year-old in Napier.
The news came on Christmas morning in 1953 from his mother.
He places the disaster within a remarkable year in New Zealand history.
That year included a New Zealander breaking the world record for sheep shearing, Hillary’s Everest ascent and the Queen’s coronation.
Rail travel was the main form of long-distance travel at the time.
The Wellington–Auckland express left on Christmas Eve completely full.
The train carried 285 passengers and crew in nine carriages plus vans.
A sudden lahar flowed from Mount Ruapehu into the Whangaehu River.
The lahar undermined and collapsed the Tangiwai rail bridge.
A motorist tried to warn the train by waving a torch.
The locomotive and five second-class carriages fell into the river.
All passengers in those second-class carriages died.151 people died and 20 were never found
Rescue efforts were led by locals, the army, and navy communications staff.Bodies and debris were carried down the river.
The disaster led to improved monitoring and warning systems on Mount Ruapehu.