25 KILLED IN BUS DISASTER
Twenty-three soldiers,a V.A.D. and the driver were killed when at 6.30 p.m. on Saturday a bus on the way to Albury crashed into a railway engine at the level crossing near Bandina.
Funeral services for the 24 soldiers killed at the level crossing accident near WodongaArgus Collection
The bus,with occupants numbering 33,hit the tender of the engine and 21 persons were killed outright. The other four died at hospital during the night.
The name of the driver of the bus was William Lord,of Victoria-street,Williamstown.
First published inThe Age on May 11,1943
THE WODONGA TRAGEDY
Funeral of Victims
Referring yesterday to the tragic accident which occurred outside Wodonga on Saturday evening,a military spokesman stated the condition of the injured was unchanged,with the exception of Sig. C. Barton,who had been removed from both the dangerously and seriously injured lists.
Signalwoman G. F. Lawton and Cpl. E. J. Laird were reported yesterday to have been seriously injured. Although admitted to hospital,they were not classified as being in either dangerously or seriously ill classes.
The wreckage of the bus.The Age Archives
The injured are receiving every attention that medical science can bring to their aid in an Australian general hospital not far from where the accident occurred.
The body of William Lord,bus driver,of Williamstown,is being taken to Williamstown for burial.
Military Funerals
ALBURY,Monday — The funeral will be held here tomorrow morning of the 24 service personnel who were killed on Saturday evening. The cortege,with four military trucks,bearing the caskets,will proceed from a military camp through Wodonga and Albury to Albury cemetery.
Relatives in four States were bereaved by the tragedy. Albury Chamber of Commerce has asked all business houses in the town to close between 10.15 and 11.15 a.m. Wodonga business houses,will also close between 10 and 11. The mayor,Alderman Padman,has specially requested that flags be flown at half-mast.
Major-General Plant has arrived in Albury to attend the funeral.
Governor’s Visit
Sir Winston Dugan has advised Wodonga shire council that in consequence of the tragedy he has postponed his visit to Wodonga from today until Friday.
Geelong Victims
GEELONG,Monday — Private Anne Anderson,A.A.M.W.S.,one of the victims of the level-crossing tragedy,was a Geelong girl. Before enlisting she resided with her mother in Waller-street,Geelong West. Her brother is a prisoner of war in Italy. She was educated at Ashby State School.
Lieutenant Lyle Radford Brinsmead,another victim,was the son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Brinsmead,of Fitzroy-street,Geelong. He was 25 years of age,was born in Geelong,and was educated at Geelong High School. He enlisted in the Second A.I.F. at the outbreak of war,and as a member of the Sixth Division saw service in England,and later,as a signaller,with the Field Artillery in the Middle East. He was one of the first members of the Allied forces to enter Tobruk when first it was taken. He returned to Australia in April of last year,and was later gazetted lieutenant.