TRAIN DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1938, Page 5

TRAIN DISASTER

DEATH ROLL OF 67 A FEARFUL TRAGEDY. (United Press Association- -By Electric Telegraph—Copy rigb t). CHICAGO, June 19. Forty bodies have been recovered piafi transcontinental express clashed from Custer Creek, where the Olymtbrough a . wash-out bridge when travelling from Chicago to Seattle. .The total death roll is estimated at 67, The engine, baggage-car, mail-ear, and four forward passengers ears were spilled off the wrecked bridge into the flooded water of the creek. A relief train picked up 50 of the .injured. In ‘addition to 67 who have been treated for minor injuries thus fay, at least 27 are unaccounted for. . Nearly 30 persons are believed to lie trapped in a tourist car submerged m the mud, where it is inaccessible to the rescue workers. Another car balanced on 'the edge of the collapsed bridge while the passengers escaped. Fifteen minutes later it plunged into the creek, burying itself in the mud and water. The dead and injured include many women and 'children. Mgriy of the bodies are unidentifiable. ' It is feared that many who were buried in the mud or washed down the river'will never be found. The bodies of the driver and fireman were found inside the twisted locomotive cab. The mail clerk was pinned in his ca.r as the engine knifed through jt■•Rescue workers' and survivors smashed windows and waded through the debris searching for the injured Four carriages, which were undamaged, remained on the track.