TRAIN DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 7

TRAIN DISASTER.

BEDFORDSHIRE SMASH

Scottish Express Jumps Rails,

Causing 11 Deaths.

WORLD'S FASTEST ENGINE.

(United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, March 22.

A Scottish express passing Leighton Buzzard, a market town of Bedfordshire, jumped the metals, and the engine and three coaches were overturned and telescoped. Twelve others left the line.

The driver, fireman, restaurant cook, and eight passengers are reported to have been killed. It is believed that many were injured.

The Scottish amatfcur international Soccer team, which was going home from England, all escaped.

The express was the Royal Scot, one of the fastest trains in the" world which last month attained 90 miles an hour on the non-stop run between London and Carlisle. To-day, within a few moments, it was a heap ow twisted steel and matchwood whence came pitiful cries and groans from the injured imprisoned in the debris.

It was a crowded train going to Scotland and had slowed down to 30 miles an hour to take the points when it leapt the rails. The engine ploughed up the permanent way for 50 yards, then overturned, scalding and 'killing instantly the driver and pinning down the fireman, who died before rescue was possible.

The first two carriages were telescoped and partially overran the engine, driving up the tender and scattering tons of coal. The third and fourth slewed sideways and crashed, and the second and fifth overturned. Every carriage was derailed, the whole forming a rough cross over the four sets of rails.

The passengers had just been called to lunch and had not yet entered the dining car, which was completely smashed. Otherwise the death roll would have been far heavier.

HORROR AND HEROISM.

HEARTRENDING SCENES.

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, March 22,

London, Midland and Scottish railway officials state that six were killed, five seriously injured and many others are suffering lesser injuries.

Eye-witnesses describe heartrending scenes and acts of heroism against the difficulties of rescue amid piled up wreckage. The chef, despite severed fingers, continuously searched for his assistant cook. When he found him dead the chef refused to go until the body was extricated. Several of the injuries necessitated immediate operation. One woman, who was accompanied by a little girl, had to undergo an amputation of the foot before she was freed.

An injured Scottish woman who was imprisoned in the debris for three hours lay with her 18-year-old daughter's head in her lap. When rescued it was found that the daughter's leg needed amputation.

A doctor relates how he found a man with only his head protruding from the wreckage. "He told me, 'I am all right go and help others, you will do more good.' I gave him an injection to relieve the pain. I knew he must be suffering although he refused to admit it."

FRENCH RAIL SMASH.

TRAGIC DEATH OF TRAVELLERS

(" Times " Cables.)

LONDON, March 22

The Paris correspondent of "The Times" says Madame Colin, who lost her life in the Paris-Bordeaux train disaster, died in a compartment of the express which had been occupied by M. Colomb, a member of the Chamber of Deputies who, with other passengers, sought places elsewhere.

M. Colomb was standing on the platform between the carriages with an official who was about to throw a note off at Etaples station regarding the disposal of Madame Colin's body when the collision occurred.

The official was hurled through a half open door and killed. M. Colomb was buried in a mass of wreckage and was found dead.