A PLUNGE TO DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 100, 28 April 1888, Page 5

A PLUNGE TO DEATH.

WRECK OF A PASSENGER TRAIN.

CARS PILED UP IN A BOILING STREAM.

A srfiQTAr, to the St. Paul's "Despatch" from Newhampton, la., of April sth, saws : A terrible railroad accident occurred about jour miles west of. here on tho Milwaukee and St. Paul, by which at least a dozen people lost their lives and from fifteen to twenty were injured. The train, which left Chicago at 11.30 yesterday morning, and was duo here at 2.10 this morning, passed here nearly on time, and when about four miles away plunged into the crock, tho. foundations of the bridge over which had been washed out. The creek was swollen by an . immense amount of water which has been running for the past few days, and in addition a gorge was formed, which, previous to the arrival of the brain, carried awa> a portion of the bridge.

There was nothing to show that there was danger ahead, and the train plunged into the stream while it was running at full wpeed. Tho engine and three coaches wont into the creek, and were immediately submerged in the torrent of water, which overflowed tho bank.

A scene of tho wildest confusion ensued, and those of the train crew and passengers who c3caped death or injury were immediately called into service to relieve the pinioned or drowning passengers. It was with yreat; difficulty the passengers could bo reached, owing to the rushing of the waters through the car windows.

Those who were rescued from the smoking-car, which was almost entirely submerged, were taken from fche windows, some maimed to such an extent* they were powerless to help themselves, while the others unhurt were nearly drowned before aid could reach them.

As soon as tho trainman who escaped injury could be spared, he was dispatched to the next station and a relief train was telegraphed for from Mason City. Telegrams for relief were, also sen,t to Charles City and other near-by places. It was not until several hours after the accident that a train arrived with physicians.

Charms City (la.) April s.—The wreck on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, some claim, was caused by ice cm the track, while others claim that it was caused by tho spreading of tho rails. Tho engine jumped tho track h'ret, and the baggaffe car and tender plunged ovct the en-gine-into the water. The smoker etruck on top of the engine and was badly smashed. The engine is entirely under water and the baggage car is almost covered with water.

There vverp about thirty pe.oplo in the smoker. Four were killed, so far as known, besides the engineer, who was crushed between the cab and the smoker. The fireman escaped unhurt.. There were about t\vcnty-h've to thirty wounded, though none fatally. The belief is phut three or more bodies are yob under the wreck. The baggageman and routo agonb escaped through a window without much injury. A Chicago travelling man and a conductor kept the passengers quiet till they could help them one. The wounded aro mostly burned from the engine. Tho mails and naggage aro i.n the river. Three physicians from Nc\v Hampton and threa from Charles City aro doing all they can for the wounded.