SEVENTY DEAD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11095, 3 January 1930, Page 5

SEVENTY DEAD

PAISLEY CINEMA DISASTER

DEATH ROLL OF CHILD VICTIMS MOUNTS UPWARD. TRAGIC SCENES OUTSIDE MORTUARY. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Jan. 1. Tho seventieth victim of the Paisley lire died ab tho infirmary. His younger brother was killed yesterday. There were tragic scones outside tlio mortuary, where hundreds of men and women, parents of douc children, waited lor hours in pouring rain, sonic so poorly clad that they used newspapers to keep elf the rain. At tlio infirmary, tho doctors and nursing staff worked throughout the night, tending the little ones, many of whom are suffering from shock. Their efforts arc likely to he successful for, of 37 patients, it is hoped that 1.2 will be able to go home tonight. Tho Prime Minister sent a message to the Provost of Paisley expressing the country's sorrow a l the tragedy. CITY OF THE DEAD. Paialoy to-day is in mourning. Social events and New Year’s celebrations have been cancelled. Men and women arc going about their duties with grave faces and children are talking in hushed voices. The nation is shocked by the disaster, which was apparently caused when someone shouted “Fire.” Gas brackets were broken in the children's v ihl scramble. Many rescuers declare emphatically that the hall was thick with coal gas fumes and smoko • It is revealed also that a few died of injuries. Extensive scratching of knees and faces during tho panic showed the acute hysteria. Three children .in one family perished. Had the children remained calm, and made an orderly use of the various exits tho tragedy would have been averted, for the building' was totally undamaged by Are. Quito a number of children were trampled to death. A GHASTLY SIGHT. Firemaster Wilson, in a statement, says the children were everywhere, some behind tlio screen, and some in the orchestra pit. The stairways were a ghastly sight. About 10ft. wide, they were crowded with children, huddled in every conceivable position, and packed as tightly as a wall of cement. The bodies oi some were twisted, and others were still moaning. A relief funn has been opened, the subscriptions already totalling £IOOO.

OFFICIAL IN V ESTIGATION

WAS REAR EXIT GATE

LOCKED ?

Uni tod Press Assn .by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Jan. 1.

Au immediate investigation is being mado bv an expert oi tho Homo Office mto the disaster at Die cinema at Paisley. A public inquiry will later be held. One point on which stress will be laid at tho inquiry is whether a rear exit gate was locked. It seems established that this was open before the performance, but was locked when scores of children endeavoured to vacate. RELIEF FUNDS. The Town Council, at a special meeting to-day. decided to head the relief fund with a grant of IL’OO guineas, and to defray funeral expenses of the victims. In addition to this, many public bodies have initiated relief funds, as a majority of tho families affected are oi tho working class.

GRUESOME EVIDENCES OU i FINAL STRUGGLES. M \J'ORITV OF DEATHS FROM. SUFFOCATION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 1. Scenes at the mortuary, where Ion" - rows of victims arc lying, bear evidence of the struggle. Torn clothes, bruised arms and legs, and feet without hoots or stockings are to be seen. The funerals will be on Friday. , . . Dr. Gray, of Paisley infirmary, has dismissed the theory that the victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the tunics of burning film. In the words of one official, “the children were killed in trying to escape from a danger which did not exist,” but the cr’v of lire had already gone up. It was too late to avert a panic. Most ul the children died from suffocation in the crush. Some of them leapt from a balcony on to the heads of those beneath. the NATION’S SYMPATHY. MESSAGES FROM KING AND QUEEN AND PREMIER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 1. The Ring and Queen have isent to the Provost of Paisley a message expressing their great distress. at the appalling disaster, and asking the Provost to convey to the bereaved relatives their heartfelt sympathy in their overwhelming sorrow. The Prime Minister, telephoning to the Provost, and speaking for his countrymen and countrywomen, sent a message of sympathy. He said: “Such a tragedy at any time would have moved the country to sorrow, but happening on New Year’s Eve, when everyone was happy with child' reu, and was planning feasts and gaiety for them, deep indeed was the gloom which this devastation had cast upon them. Everyone blessed by having ohildmi around them understands in a most intimate way the torturing which is in the hearts of so many of your citizens.”