Parramatta locals will today reflect on the anniversary of the Granville Train Disaster, which claimed 84 lives in 1977.
It is the 44th anniversary of the tragedy, which occurred when a crowded commuter train derailed when approaching Granville train station at the Bold Street bridge.
It remains the worst rail disaster in Australian history.
Ross Hutchison’s sister Cheryl, who was 21-years-old, was among those killed on January 18, 1977.
“My sister was a very special girl… she was tremendous with the kids,” Mr Hutchison said.
“She was beautiful… the apple of mum and dads’ eye.”
The small amount of money his family received as Government compensation following the tragedy went to building a children’s playground at Westmead Hospital to honour his sister’s memory.
Mr Hutchison will never forget that devastating day and receiving the news that his sister had passed away.
“I had to identify my sister after she had been under 300 tonnes of concrete… it was a tough call,” he said.
“I relied a lot on the rings that were on her hand to be honest to confirm the fact that it was her.”
More than 200 people were injured in the tragedy, and the official death toll was 83 until 2017 when an 84th victim, an unborn child, was added to the fatality list.
Traditionally, family members and those wishing to pay tribute to those impacted by the tragedy throw roses off the Bold Street bridge to commemorate the anniversary.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.