TRAIN SMASH IN ENGLAND

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24799, 13 February 1946, Page 8

TRAIN SMASH IN ENGLAND

TWO SOLDIERS KILLED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, February 11. Two soldiers were killed and at least eight persons were injured when a fast express train bound from King’s Cross to Newcastle crashed late last night into a local train which had been derailed near Potter’s Bar. Some coaches on the express were telescoped while others were derailed. Both the soldiers killdd were in the local train. An eye-witness said that the local train crashed into the end of the platform and wreckage was strewn across the track. A few seconds later he heard the north-bound express approaching and then a heavy crash. The derailment of the local train had blocked both up and down lines. At the time of the accident a third train—one from Bradford—was approaching, but -it was stopped clear of the obstruction bv the signals. Main line services were suspended but .efforts were made to get the service running on both sides of the obstruction and two hours after the accident a packed train left for London carrying passengers who were able to travel. Emergency buses also operated. A woman guard, who leaped out of the wrecked local train and raced along the track waving a red lamp Jo halt the Bradford express, probably saved the lives of scores of passengers, says the “Evening News.” She slowed down the express and was just able to spring clear of the line as the train went past.

Gangs of men worked all night long by the light of the moon and flares to clear the wreckage which completely blocked the main line for a quarter of a mile. An adjacent field was strewn with broken glass and shattered woodwork torn off the express, the engine of which overturned.