THE RAILWAY COLLISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9588, 4 September 1913, Page 5

THE RAILWAY COLLISION.

DETAILS OF AN AWFUL NIGHT LIST OF VICTIMS UNOBTAINABLE. SOME PATHETIC INCIDENTS. (By Ei.kctbic Telsghaph—Coptbig ht.) (Pib Press Association.) Received September 4, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 3. The charred remains of the victims of tho railway collision between the Glasgow and Aberdeen expresses at Aisgill, Yorkshire, have been removed to Kirkby Ste-, phen. The only means of identification are | remnants of clothing, jewellery, etc. Xo list is possible. In several case 6 «the sex is unknown, and in other cases the only proof is the corset bones found embedded in the charred remains. John Patterson, accountant, of London, and_ two young ladies have been identified. Nurse Fargie was identified bv her charred umbrella handle and watch. "DON'T MIND ME; FIND THE CHILDREN." Mrs Morrison was returning from a holiday with her children. Sho was badly injured, and with a baby in her arms was rescued. Her first words were, "Don't bother about me; find the children." Three of them were among the unidentified dead, but thev have 6inco been identified. . 1 FIT THEATRE FOR TERRIBLE SCENES.

Tho asoent at Aisgill is the highest pieoe of railway line in England. The gradient is one in a hundred. The scene of the accident is in the heart of the Pennine* and is surrounded with bleak hills. Only a few scattered cottages are in the vicinity, and little water was available. Doctors nnd nurses were unobtainable until houra after tho collision. "MEN ARE WANTED." . The railway officials aroused those in tho sleeping cars and made the passengers alight. Many women were partially dressed. The passengers did not realise the seriousness of the affair until a voice in the darkness cried "Men are wanted to help. No women wanted." The men running towards the Scene of tho tragedy saw a desperate scene of destruction, and the outbreak of fire completed tho tragedy. Neighbouring farmers and shepherds assisted the police to rescue those imprisoned until the flames heat them back. Many of the rescuers sobbed to sec hands waving to attract attention. AN OLD MAN'S ESCAPE. Eight passengers tuggeel at an elderly man, who was pinned at the waist, until his clothes were pulled off and his flosh was torn. As the flames crept up the man kept t crying, "For God's sake, pull me out." Every few minutes the rescuers had to draw back from the scorching heat, but they made a final dash and pulled out the man as the burning woodwork released his waist. In another case a clergyman 6a w ifc was impossible to succour a man pinjjpd jindcr the wreckage, and he raised his hat and offered a prayer. SIR ARTHUR DOUGLAS. t Sir Arthur Douglas was travelling from Glasgow to Gloucester. The critical experience which he underwent while pinned under the burning carriage was a. terrible ordeal for a man of advanoed years.. He is now in the Carlisle infirmary, whither «x porters carried him, and he is Buffering- from severe burns to his feet, hands, h&ok, neck, head and- thigh. He had a fair night. CAUSE OF THE FIRE. Tho fire was caused apparently by the illuminating gas, which escaped from the tanks beneath the carriages. It raises the problem whether electricity should not be substituted, which was discussed in oonnection with the 1910 disaster. The inquest was opened and adjourned till tho 17th inst. VALUE OF STATE OWNED LINES. Received September 4. 11.15 a.m. . LONDON. Sept. 3. The Trades Congress condoled with tho relatives of the victims in tho Aisgill accident. Mr Chandler, delegate of tho Railway Clerks' Union, remarked that tho lowest per centage of accidents occurred on Germany's State-owned railways.

HAWES DISASTER. The Hawes disaster took place on the 25th Docember, 1910. The Midland express, bound for Glasgow, with 500 holiday makers aboard, was running at a speod of 60 miles an hour when it overtook two light engines travelling at about 30 miles an hour. The express crashed into the light engines with terrible impact, flinging them over an embankment after carrying them along- for a distance of 150 yards. A fire broke out on the express, and there were scenes of horror, and considerable loss of life. The accident was duo to a signalman's error. The accident occurred in darkness, in a wild mountainous region in the heart of tho Pennine chain. THE AMERICAN TRAGEDY. . . NEW YORK. Sept. 3. Tho \\ hite Mountain engine cut completely through the last two Pullmans of the Bar Harbour express, throwing the mangled bodies in all directions. The track was covered with mangled remains. Tho death roll is definitely estimated at 26.

A defective signal was the cause of the disaster.