A Terrible Railway Accident

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3294, 6 December 1892, Page 2

A Terrible Railway Accident

(Per Mail Steamer.) A terrible railway wreck happened on tbe morning of November 2nd, near tbe town of Tbrisk, in Yorkshire. The second section ot tbe east coast express from Edinburgh to London ran into a freight train at Manor House station. Tbe traok at this point runs along an embankment, and the engine of the express train on striking tbe ireigbt train reared up, toppled over, and fell into a field at tbe side of the track, followed by all tbe passenger coaobes. Tbe passengers were in many instances pinned under the debris. Several were burned to death before help could reach them. It is certain tbat thirteen persons were killed, and amoDg tbe dead was Capt. Duncan MoLeod, of tbe 42nd Highlanders, who waß on his way to Australia. The fire burned fiercely until noon, the flames then having devoured tbe entire wreokage. The entire occapants of one carriage Buffered terrible agonies of miud as they were aoUdly imprisoned watching tbe flamaa approaca them. They were rescued jast in tbe nick of time. Tbis was one of tbe worst accidents in the history of English railroading, owing apparently to bad management. The watchman, who was found asleep in bis box after the collision, wept bitterly as he related bis story of the affair. He admitted bis responsibility to display the proper signaU, but Baid it was impossible for him to keep awake as be had been nursing bis sick child by day and working at nights for some time back. Tbe child died on Tuesday, let November. The father asked tbe local agent for five days' leave of absence, but was refused, though be protested his inability to perform his duty. The help from Thrißk and York was very tardy in arriving though word of the disaster had been at once conveyed' to both places. A passenger named McKenzie went; raving mid while witnessiog tbe flames slowly roasting his wife to death.

This disaster is likely to result in a boom for tbe American carriages, and especially sleepers. The ordinary carriages were some ahead of the Pullman sleeper, and some behind it ail were smashed to pieces ; while tbe Pullman, though wrecked and twisted, resisted tbe shock in a manner marvellous to English eves.