Families remember rail disaster dead

By PATRICK GOWER

They were typical New Zealanders on an ordinary journey - which ended in tragedy.

Last night (NZ time), the families of the two Aucklanders killed in the Paddington rail disaster in London marked its first anniversary.

Matthew Macaulay, aged 27, and Allan Stewart, 28, were among 31 people killed on October 5 when their Great Western Express collided with another train and exploded in flames.

The two men did not know each other, but shared the dream of so many New Zealanders: the big OE.

A minute's silence was observed at Paddington station at 8.11 am London time, the moment of the crash. A service was held at the crash site, at nearby Ladbroke Grove, at midday.

Flowers were laid at stations along the route taken by the train.

Matthew's father, Peter Macaulay, of Kohimarama, said it was "a pretty tough day" for families of the victims. He was accompanied by his wife, Di, their 31-year-old daughter, Rachel, son Ben, 21, and Matthew's grandparents.

Mr Macaulay was to speak on behalf of victims' families at the formal memorial service at 4 pm in Westminster, central London, scene of the public inquiry into the accident.

"It's about moving forward and trying to convert all the feelings of anger into sorrow with which we can carry forward the search for justice," he told the Herald last night.

"We need to give each other support - there's still a lot of people here who are very angry and bitter."

Allan Stewart's parents, Angus and Christine Stewart, of Manurewa, also attended the service with their family.

On this side of the world, a group of Matthew's friends met last night in a Newmarket bar to mark the anniversary.

The crash happened after the driver of a Thames commuter train ran a red warning light and crossed the path of the Great Western Express.

Survivors want to see a sophisticated automatic train protection system fitted nationwide, saying 10 trains pass red signals every week.

Such a system was recommended after the Clapham rail crash in South London, which claimed 35 lives in December 1988.

The British Government favours fitting a less expensive warning system, and an inquiry into train protection systems is taking place.

Part two of the Paddington public inquiry will begin this month, under Lord Cullen. It will deal with general rail safety.

The two New Zealanders were taking the train to their white-collar jobs in London, looking forward to the weekend's All Blacks-England Rugby World Cup match.

Mr Macaulay had been in London working for British Telecom for 18 months. A ticket to the match was found in his pocket.

Allan Stewart, who was working as an accountant, also had a ticket.