SIMPLON EXPRESS DISASTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 October 1928, Page 5

SIMPLON EXPRESS DISASTER

OVER SIXTY DEATHS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Asscciation

BUCHAREST, 26th October.

It is stated that the death roll in the Simplon express disaster- is oyer sixty, the previous estimate referring only to those identified. It is feared that many have been incinerated. The majority of those dead are Rumanians, and there are no British among the dead. The disaster occurred at 2.45 o’clock in the morning. It lias not yet been explained how the Bucharest express came to be on the wrong line. ' The Orient express, one of the world’s most famous trains, rounded a curve at full speed and was confronted by the other express, also at full speed. Both trains were hurled at each other with terrific force, the Orient engine boring right through the Bucharest train before crumpling up into a mass of twisted iron. Both drivers were killed. The leading Orient coaches, including a luxurious sleeping coach, were telescoped, and the noise is described as having been akin to a wartime mine explosion. It was followed by an outburst of flames as the wreckage caught fire, consuming the leading coach almost like lightning. The majority of the killed were soldiers.

All the employees at the nearby sta tion fled.

.The first appeal for help was sent By a passenger who had a knowledge of Morse.

Meanwhile uninjured passengers heroically attempted to extricate the injured. Many peasants worked throughout the night as it was necessary to transport injured many miles. , Among the dead is the Rumanian military attache at Paris.

A SIGNALMAN’S ERROR

BUCHAREST, 27th October.

Inquiry established that the collision was due to the error of. a signalman, who disappeared.