RAILWAY SMASH'

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 28 April 1924, Page 7

RAILWAY SMASH'

« IN TUNNEL OUTSIDE EUSTON ELECTRIC TRAIN CRASHES INTO SPECIAL MANY INJURED, FOUR FATALLY By Telegraph—Press Association. —OOPYHIGHT. London, April 26. An electric train crashed into tho rear of a special standing in a tunnel a mile outside Euston. The former was crowded with excursionists from Coventry for the Soccer Cup final at Wembley, and the special, crowded with Aston Villa supporters, had stopped near tho terminus. The majority of the passengers weiy. standing up getting their wraps and overcoats when the electric train crashed into the rear, where most of the casualties occurred. "" Rescue work was carried out In tlie semi-darkness of the tunnel. Many were injured seriously, lhero were few women on board the train. Ihirtyli/o were injured and sent to Hospital on stretchers improvised out of carriage cushions. Two have died. A few had broken limbs, but in most cases the injuries were slight. All were surprisingly cheerful, and some, after having their hurts dressed, expressed their intention of going to the Cup final. Most were from Coventry, but four Londoners were included among thp casualties. The driver of the electric train was injured, and had a terrible experience, being pinned under the motor and covered with a heap of debris. When first found he,was unconscious. He then revived, but four hours elapsed before the man was extricated. The guard of the football express was also injured seriously. Tlie guard’s van, where most of the casualties occurred, was packed with standing passengers.— Reuter. DISTRESSING SCENES (Bee. April 28, 0.30 a.m.) London, April 26. Altogether fifty were injured in the Euston disaster. There were distressing scenes in the dark tunnel, rescuers working by the light of flares and acetylene lamps, extricating the injured from the debris. Several coaches were smashed to matchwood. The difficulties and dangers were increased by the stifling fumes of the fused rubber of covered cables, and the gases from tho train cylinders repeatedly catching alight. Aconflagration was averted by the prompt application of extinguishers and continuous supplies of water. The relief party wieldel pick-axes and crowbars and improvised the carriages’ woodwork as stretchers. The line was out of action for the rest of the day. The death roll was brought up to four by tlie death in hospital of two of those injured. The condition of the driver of the electric train, whose legs were crushed, is serious. The others are progressing favourably. It is anticipated a full train service will operate to-morrow.—Reuter. STORIES OF THE INJURED A DRIVER’S HEROISM (Rec. April 28, 0.30 a.m.) London, April 26. The injured vividly describe the tunnel smash. One said: “Six Coventry men in the rear compartment were pinned by the legs through the seats telescoping. All "answered to their names in the darkness except Samuel Ives. After a pause Ives groaned and said ‘My foot is off.’ We were halfchoked by the stench of escaping gas. I saw smouldering rubber, and suddenly saw a flicker of flames beneath the broken floor. It seemed a year before it was extinguished.” Another said: “I found myself wedged between the broken frame and the tunnel wall. Both my legs were useless, so I crawled thirty yards to the tunnel mouth.”

A dispatch says the accident will be memorable for the heroism of Adams, the driver of the electric train. His foot was crushed under the motor, while the starter handle was pressing into his stomach, and the wrecked coach was delicately poised above him. Adams asserted that their were no red lights on th© rear of the Coventry train. His escape is regarded as miraculous. He was pinned in the wreckage for five hours. The electric current from tho live rails held him in a death-like grip to the driving wheel until th© current was cut off. Thereafter the wreckage held the lower part of his body. He behaved with heroic courage through the long ordeal. While the rescuers were endeavouring to release him ho was given sips ot v.ater, and smoked a cigarette. Thougi'i obviously in great pain he replied cheerfully to the encouraging words, and said: “That is all right, boys. Stick it out. I am 0.k.” When released he insisted on making a little speech complimenting the rescuers on their hard work.—Sydnej “Sun” Cables.