On 4 June 1943, near the small Otago settlement of Hyde, a steam locomotive pulling seven carriages derailed while taking a corner at speed. At the time, it was New Zealand’s worst rail accident; 21 of the 113 passengers on board were killed, and a further 47 were injured.
Elizabeth Coleman was four years old when her father and brother died in the accident, and another brother was severely injured. This interview is a deeply personal reflection on one of Central Otago’s most significant tragedies, and its lifelong impact. Elizabeth discusses her early life on a farm, the sudden upheaval following the disaster, and the challenges faced by her family as they rebuilt their lives. She speaks openly about the lasting emotional and psychological effects of trauma, her family relationships, and the ways grief continued to shape her later life.
The interview also explores Elizabeth’s commitment to preserving the history of the Hyde disaster. She discusses her research, the books she has written collecting survivors’ stories, and her role in establishing a memorial cairn at the crash site to honour those who lost their lives.
Interviewer: Carolyn Squires
Interview Dates: July 2023
Elizabeth Coleman
Hyde Railway Disaster
Elizabeth Coleman Book available at Central Stories
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