RAILWAY DISASTER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 October 1928, Page 5

RAILWAY DISASTER

CRASH AT FULL SPEED.

COLLISION NEAR SLATINA. FAMOUS TRAIN INVOLVED. r United Presa Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association' —United Service.) BUCHAREST, Oct. 20. The ‘Simplon tunnel express from Bucharest, due to an error of the signalman, who has disappeared, collided with another express near Slatina. The crash ‘completely wrecked, on the first mentioned express, the sleeping car, two first class coaches, the luggage and mail van. . It is stated that the death Toll is over 60. It is feared many were incinerated. The majority of the dead are Roumanians. There were no British passengers. The disaster occurred at, 2.34 a.in. The Bucharest express was on the wrong line. The driver of the ‘Orient Express, one of the world’s most famous trains, rounded a curve at full speed and was confronted by the other travelling at full speed towards him. Both trains hurled themselves at each other with terrific force. The Orient engine bored right , through the Bucharest train before 'crumpling up into a mass of twisted iron. Both drivers were killed. The leading Orient coaches, including a luxurious sleeping coach, were telescoped. The noise was described akin to a maritime mine explosion, which was followed by an outburst ot flames from the wreckage, Which consumed the leading coach like lightning.