Community & Business
20 February, 2026
Rail tragedy to be remembered
A MAREEBA rail worker who tragically lost his life in a derailment in 1959 near the old Yungaburra sawmill will finally have a marked grave in the Mareeba Pioneer Cemetery.
Leaving from Kairi, Emanuel “Manny” Robert Borghero, who was an Engine Fireman, was on board with Arthur James Dundas (Engine Driver), Bernard James Purvey (Guard), William James Hocking and John Vincent Evans (Fettlers) when Steam Engine locomotive No 23 derailed at 12.30pm on 14 May 1959.
The engine overturned, pinning three members of the crew including fireman Manny who suffered horrific burns to the lower part of his body.
He was extracted from the scene and flown to the Brisbane General Hospital where he sadly passed away at 6am on 17 May 1959 as a result of his injuries. The other crew survived.
Manny was 30 years of age when he died and was laid to rest within the Mareeba Cemetery on 20 May 1959 in front of a large gathering of many family, relatives, friends and railway personnel.
However, last year Mareeba Pioneer Cemetery Volunteers coordinator Michael Musumeci, working closely with descendant Isabel Owen, identified Manny’s unmarked grave within the cemetery.
His grave has remained unmarked for the last 66 years.
In late 2025, the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees (AFULE) approved an official headstone and plaque honouring the life of Manny for his unmarked grave.
“An overwhelming gesture from AFULE, who is the first and oldest railway union in the world,” Michael said.
“AFULE continues to represent the majority of train crew within Queensland, and they have truly honoured a previous serving member by assisting in the headstone and plaque to soon be installed.”
Born on 9 December 1928 in Herberton to parents Emanuel Francis and Constance Olive Augusta Fraser, Manny had four sisters and was educated locally.
Prior to his tragic loss, he married Jeanette Ethel Clow but had no children. They resided in Walsh Street, Mareeba.
Manny had been working for Queensland Railways as early as 1954, as a railway cleaner, and then passed his examinations as a railway fireman.
An official dedication and service remembering and honouring Locomotive Fireman Emanuel “Manny” Robert Borghero is planned for Sunday 17 May – 67 years to the day after he died in the rail accident.
