Covering the Granville Train Disaster on Radio 2SM, January 1977

Radio news coverage of the Granville Train Disaster in a documentary style. It's unclear whether this piece actually aired on 2SM, more likely it was an awards submission, e.g. Best Radio News Coverage by a metro station. It might also have been issued as a sales tool to encourage more NSW regional stations to sign up for 2SM Network News.
The 2SM staff heard, in order, are: narrator Ron E.Sparks, Lloyd Jones, Steve Blanda, Ian MacRae, Glenn Roach, Steve Leibmann, Tony Bartlett, Colin Bridge, Brian White, Terry Mabb, Peter Hazlewood.

[@thisiswright]

Shocking story, professionally covered by the crack 2SM news team. A very historic and professional recording. Thanks for the posting.

[@stevewebb6512]

I recall this happening. I was a second year apprentice motor mechanic in Brisbane at the time. I went on to join the Queensland Police Force some years later and became a member of the Accident Investigation Squad. I carried out those duties for over 26 years. A few years back I met Garry Raymond who was a member of the Police Rescue Squad at the scene of this disaster.
I take my hat off to all those members. I know what you faced on that day. Images that remain with you always, the screams of the trapped. Well done people, especially the late Sergeant Joe Beecroft. Not many people know that Joe Beecroft was a prisoner of war under the Japanese in WW2. Brave people all including medical staff.

[@c8Lorraine1]

I remember listening to this while in makeup before a photo shoot (unrelated to Granville). I was crying and ruining my makeup. The artist had to turn off the radio . The photos taken that day still remind me of the Granville disaster. My heart goes out to the victims and those who grieve. My heartfelt pride in the rescue workers who worked long hours in the heat and dirty conditions, who risked their own lives to comfort to the dying. And of course, the enduring Salvos who silently provide food and refreshments to all attending the scene, may God protect and bless you all.

[@therestingrancor8259]

I was 7yrs old, living in Canley Vale. My mother had just missed this train that morning. (Mother died later that year).
Recently watched The Day of the Roses. Horrible, horrible day. So many people impacted, the nurses, rescue crews, survivors, the families carrying the scars of that day, until their dying day.
Then the cover ups.....NSW rail covering up the fact that the wheels were worn, surveillance of the families of victims, the fact that a train running 3min late, had to speed through bends to catch up time, was more important than safety & human life! It was discusting!!
My father (passed on now), worked for the railway at that time, almost left his job because of his dicust at the way the railway acted in relation to this tragedy.
Glad to hear that the NSW government finally apologised to the victims and families. And I hope they were compensated properly.

[@saxongreen78]

An archetypal 1970s disaster: malaise, negligence, worn out infrastructure and heartbreaking loss. To make it all worse, the authorities couldn't care less...shifted the blame and made a scapegoat of the driver...fought against compensation...never accepted accountability.
It was a year before my birth, but it has been etched in my mind since I read about it at age 8.

[@johnkesby]

intense news. very grim at the end especially. thanks for preserving this radio history

[@sainttony2397]

Thanks for posting. This terrible. Day in Not only Sydney history. Also Australian History

[@vaughanwilliamson173]

Thank you for posting this most historic audio. I have referred this recording to a number of Granville veterans.
It appears that the very early part of this audio was incorporated into the 9 odd minute Screen Australia production (also found on youtube but with very degraded film colour quality).
What a remark "A great day out for all the family" later in the audio referring to the number of sightseers who came for gawk and got in the way of the rescue and recovery effort!

[@saxongreen78]

I have a particularly deep contempt for gawkers at live tragedies...it's repulsive.

[@pauliejay4161]

I was seven years old, the first one awake in my house and turned on the radio just as the first tentative bulletins were being broadcast. I don't know if it was 2SM that I was listening to that morning or some other station, but it didn't take long to realise (even at that young age) that this was a significant event. And the news just kept getting worse as the day progressed.

[@OldAussieAds]

Very interesting (and still very sad). Thanks for the upload.

[@jimmywrangles]

Thank you for the upload. RIP to all who perished.

[@catherinehamilton5026]

This still breaks my heart all these years later. My greatest fear being trapped ALIVE

[@Aussietari]

I remember Hearing this Tragic Story on 2SM,
whilst getting Ready for School.
Absolutely Heart💔Breaking.

[@peterryan6497]

It was school holidays at the time, unless you were a boarder or something

[@thefinisher2010]

Would of still been school holidays

[@lancemckellar]

Someone changed to a smoking carriage moments before the disaster and survived!

[@thefinisher2010]

Well youd care if it was someone you knew in one of the cars or the bike rider

[@carljan57]

Who cares about cars on the bridge, mr reporter. A huge concrete bridge has just collapsed on train carriages.

[@katrinamenzies9398]

I was born 1980

[@danniellemason8388]

i wasn't even born