TRAIN SMASH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1001, 28 April 1924, Page 5

TRAIN SMASH.

TRAGEDY IN TUNNEL. EXCURSIONISTS KILLED. DRIVER'S AWFUL EXPERIENCE. (By Electric Telegraph—Coypright.) LONDON, April 26. An electric train crashed into the rear of a special train standing in a tunnel a mile outside of Euston station. The latter was crowded with excursionists from Coventry for the Soccer Cup final at Wembley and a special crowded with, Astou Villa supporters stopped near the terminus. The majority of the passengers were standing up, getting their wraps and overcoats, when tho electric train crashed into tho rear, where most of the casualties occurred. Rescue work was carried out in the semi-darkness of the tunnel. Many were injured seriously, but few women were aboard the train. Thirtyfive of the injured were sent to hospital on stretchers improvised out ot carriage cushions. Two died, a few had broken limbs, but in most cases the injuries were slight. All were surprisingly cheerful, and some, after haying their hurts dressed, expressed their intention of going to the cup final. Most were from Coventry, but four Londoners were included among the casualties. The driver of the electric train was injured and had a terrible experience, being pinned under the motor and covered with a heap of debris. W'hen first found, he was unconscious, then he revived, but four hours elapsed before the man was extricated. The guard of the football express was also injured seriously. The guard's van, where most of the casualties occurred, was packed with standing passengers.—A. and N.Z. cable.

DISTRESSING SCENES. DIFFICULTIES OF RESCUERS. Received April 28, 8.55 a.m. LONDON,, April 26. Altogether 50 were injured in the Euston disaster. There were distressing scenes in the dark tunnel, the rescuers working by the light of the flares and acetylene lamps extricating the injured from the debris. Several coaches were smashed to matchwood. The difficulties and dangers were increased by the stifling fumes from the fused rubber covered cables and the gases from the train cylinders repeatedly catching alight. A conflagration was averted by the prompt application of extinguishers and continuous supplies of water. The relief party wielded pickaxes and crowbars and improvised the carriages' woodwork as stretchers. The death roll was brought up to four by the death in hospital of two of those injured. The condition of the driver of the electric train, whose legs were crushed, is serious. The others are progressing favourably.—Reuter. HEROISM Vf~A GUARD. Received April'2B, 8.55 a.m. LONDON, April 26. One of tho injured vividly describes the tunnel smash. Six Coventryites in a rear compartment were pinned by their legs through the seats telescoping. All answered to their names in the darkness except Samuel Ives. After a pause Ives groaned and said "My foot is off." Those in the carriage were half-choked by tho stench of the escaping gas and the smouldering rubber. Suddenly they saw a flicker of flames beneath the broken floor. It seemed a year before they were extinguished. Another passenger said: "I found myself wedged between a broken frame and the tunnel wall. Both legs were useless so I crawled 30 yards to the tunnel mouth." The Dispatch says: "The accident will be memorable for the heroism of Adams, the driver of tho electric train, who had his foot crushed under the motor while the startei handle was pressing into his stomach, a wrecked coach being delicately poised above him." Adams asserted that there were no red lights on the rear of the Coventry train. His escape is regarded as miraculous. He was pinned beneath the wreckage for five hours. The electric current from the live rails held him in a deathlike grip to the driving wheel until the current was cut off, and thereafter the wreckage held the lower part of his body. He behaved with heroic courage through the long ordeal. While the rescuers were_ endeavouring to releas him h wSe given sips of water. He smoked a cigarette, and though obviously in great pain he replied cheerfully to the encouraging words and said "That is all right, boys; stick it out. I am 0.K." When released lie insisted on making a little speech complimenting the rescuers on their hard work.—Sydney Sun cable.