On Christmas Day, the small nation of New Zealand - hosting the Queen and Prince Philip at the time - awoke to news of the horrific tragedy that was impossible to avoid. For some though, they were waking up to news that their loved ones had perished.

Guests:
Jim McAloon
Graeme Stewart
John Mahy
Beryl Donovan
Don Alabaster

Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams
Researcher: Neesha Bremner
Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson
Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana
Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon

Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu.

On Christmas Day, the small nation of New Zealand - hosting the Queen and Prince Philip at the time - awoke to news of the horrific tragedy that was impossible to avoid. For some though, they were waking up to news that their loved ones had perished.
Guests: Jim McAloon Graeme Stewart John Mahy Beryl Donovan Don Alabaster
Presenter and producer: Hamish Williams Researcher: Neesha Bremner Sound engineer: Shaun D Wilson Production assistants: Kathy Cunningham and Hohepa Te Moana Executive Producers: Ethan Sills and Andrew Laxon Select music by Anthonie Tonnon. Made with funding by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu.

Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy? 

Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald. Made with funding from NZ on Air. 

Christmas Eve, 1953. A historic year for New Zealand ended tragically, when 151 people died in the country's worst ever rail disaster. 70 years on, with only a handful of survivors still alive, did New Zealand learn the lessons of this horrific accident - or have we forgotten this tragedy? 
Hosted by Hamish Williams. Produced by the Motuihe Group for the New Zealand Herald. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

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