TRAINS COLLUDE IN TUBE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 9

TRAINS COLLUDE IN TUBE

Eight Believed Dead; 30 Injured (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. Rescuers burrowed through piles of wreckage early this morning, in the light of flares trying to rescue the trapped victims of one of London’s worst underground train disasters. Rescuers returning from the scene, where two densely-packed tube trains smashed together about 7 p.m. yesterday in the London suburb of Stratford. said they believed that between six and eight persons were killed and about 30 injured. Doctors, nurses and priests prised through the debris to reach the injured and give them aid and comfort. Rescue workers returning to the open air, said several hours’ work were still necessary in the confined space to release those trapped. Foul air and fumes were adding to the hazards. Somewhere in the blackness the rescuers heard two children talking while awaiting release. The trains, which were packed with workers going home, collided after a signal had failed. A signalman was on his way to repair the fault and had to jump clear of the second train

as it roared out of the darkness and hit the rear of the first train with a thunderous roar. Some of the carriages were telescoped and many persons were trapped in the wreckage. Rescue apparatus was rushed to the spot and the police rigged spotlights to direct the underground work. The electric current was cut off. Most of the dead were believed to be in the rear of the train, where the rescuers had difficulty in cutting their way-through the wrecked coaches. The railway authorities and police appealed to all ablebodied men living near the Stratford station to help in the rescue operations.

Heavy jacking equipment was taken into the tunnel to raise the shattered coaches. There was a ceaseless procession of nurses carrying surgical instruments, bandages, splints and other medical supplies. Some nurses were wearing surgical masks. Cylinders of oxygen were also taken into the tunnel, which was barred to all not actively engaged in the work at the scene of the disaster. Ten doctors were called to the tunnel. First Casualties The first casualties brought out on stretchers were a woman heavily covered by. blankets and a man who appeared to be dressed in railway uniform. They entered the ambulances about 8.45 p.m. Fire hoses were laid from the platform to the tunnel where firemen were working. The road outside was lined on both sides by ambulances. An official report at 11 p.m. put the number of dead at eight, and said it was believed there were seven still trapped in the wreckage. A railway official who went down the tunnel soon after the crash, said the first coach of the second train was completely telescoped, and the sides of the coach had burst out against the tunnel' -walls, making it difficult for rescuers to cut the wreckage away. A rescuer coming from the tunnel said the front of the second train telescoped into the back of the first train. A policeman said: “It is very hot and it is extremely difficult to reach the middle of the two trains where most of the injured are lying. I had to crawl along the side then start to lead out the uninjured.”