Granville train disaster apology
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today apologised in the NSW Parliament to the victims of the Granville Train Disaster.
The worst rail accident in Australian history saw 83 people lose their lives and another 213 were injured when a commuter train derailed near Granville station and an overhead bridge collapsed onto the carriages.
Premier Berejiklian said the recent 40th anniversary of the January 18, 1977 disaster highlighted the need to formally apologise to the victims and their loved ones.
“I have no doubt that the pain people feel today can sometimes feel as raw and real as it was all those years ago,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The lifelong impact on survivors and the unimaginable grief felt by those who lost a loved one has never been formally acknowledged and this was long overdue.”
“I hope that today’s apology helps the victims and their loved ones some way along their journey of healing. We also wanted to honour the first responders and everyday heroes who stepped up in the worst possible circumstances.”
Mr Constance said a significant commitment was made to invest in safety and emergency systems on the rail system after the Granville tragedy.
“There is nothing we can do to take that pain away, but we do offer our heartfelt apology to those people whose lives were irrevocably changed at Granville that day,” Mr Constance said.