RAILWAY CATASTROPHE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9587, 3 September 1913, Page 5

RAILWAY CATASTROPHE.

BIG SCOTCH EXPRESSES COLLIDE.

AWFUL SCENES IN YORKSHIRE HIGHLANDS.

PASSENGERS ROASTED ALIVE.

PITEOUS BUT UNAVAILING APPEALS FOR HELP.

AN EX-NEW ZEALANDER'S TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

(By Electbic Telegraph—Copyright.) (Peb Press Association.) Received September 3, 8.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 2.

There has been a terrible railway disaster in one of the most in accessible and lofty spots in England, near the scene of the Hawes disaster in 1910. At 3 o'clock this morning, in pitch darkness, the Aberdeen express crashed into the rear of the stationary Glasgow express. Several carriages were telescoped and others overturned. One of tho trains ignitod. Terrible scenes were witnessed. Some of the passengers were roasted (o death. Fifteen persons were killed and twenty-five injured. Among these injured was Sir Arthur Douglas, who for many years occupied prominent military positions in New Zealand, and who was Under-Secretary for Defence from 1895 to 1901. His condition is serious, and he has been removed to t.W hospital

INFERNO. PITCH DARKNESS; BLAZING WRECKAGE; WILD SCREAMS.

THE HAND IN THE FLAMES

Received September 3. 9.0 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 2

The Glasgow express stopped at 3 in the morning for want of steam near the top of Aisgill summit, Yorkshire. The night was pitch dark. Tho Aberdeen express, going at full speed, dashed inlo the rear of tlie standing train with terrific force. Tlie engine penetrated the end of one carriage and smashed several others.

Indescribable scenes followed. Wild screams came from many victims who were pinned beneath the wreckage. The rescuers were unable to extricate them, on account of the wreckage catching fire. It blazed furiously, lighting up the darkness and driving back the workers. Several passengers were burned to death, including two children, whose mother was also seriously injured Sir Arthur Douglas, who was imprisoned in a burning carriage, had a terrible ex[>erience. He was badly burned, and is in a critical state. Many others suffered from bums, and were injured in other wqvs. a number seriously. One woman's hands were cut off. The uninjured passengers joined in rescue work. Some recognised relatives among the killed and injured. One lady was horrified «fc the discovery of her dead husband. Rescuers saw a hand amidst the flames frantically but vainly beckoning for help. Thirteen bodii«, mostly adults and including one woman, have been recovered, but they nrc unrecognisable. Tho driver and fireman had wonderful escapes. Many of the passengers were asleep at- the time, and some narrow and exciting escapes aro recorded. One passenger who had been in the burned carriage changed at Carlisle into another compartment.

HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DRIVER MISSES WARNING SIGNAL. Received September 3, 9.20 a.m. LONDON. Sept. 2. It is stated that the driver of the Aberdeen express, finding tho engine not running well at Mallerstang, went to tlie forepart of the engine to oil the workings, leaving tho fireman in charge. Sutherland, the signalman at the Mallerstang box, declares that his signals were dead against the Aberdeen train, and he was astounded when it tore past the box. He was help Ipss and shortly ho heard the collision, though it was three miles away.

GUARD HEARS ONCOMING TRAIN. FRANTIC EFFORTS TO AVERT TRAGEDY. 4 TWO WOMEN: GOLF STICKS AND A BABY. Received September 3. 12.40 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 2. Guard Whitby, of the Glasgow express, after raising the alarm nnd awakening the passengers, ran back alon? the line towards the approaching train. He placed detonators on the line, made fog "signals, waved a red flag, blew his whistle and made frantic efforts to attract attention, but the oncoming train thundered past and collided with a crash that reverberated from the steep mountains. The heat was of tho fiercest, and twisted the rails. • The survivors of the first train narrate that they heard th? hum of the approaching express, and some thought it was an aeroplane.

Smoke and rain added to tho rescuers' difficulties. The survivors obtained hatchets, lamps, saws, and fire extinguishers from tho guard's van. and heroically assisted in extricating the victims. Their coats and trousers were burnt and their hair singed. A passenger, half of whoee body wns pinned under the wreckage, was rescued just as tho flames approached. In another spot legs were ceen dangling from a window, but wore found to bo severed from the bodv.

An uninjured lady survivor from a carriage wherein others were dying, rushed about asking : "Where are my golf sticks !" A mother holding a baby sobbed a prayer of gratitude when both their lives wero saved.