THE THIRSK RAILWAY CATASTROPHE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 5

THE THIRSK RAILWAY CATASTROPHE.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. PASSENGERS FOR AUSTRALIA KILLED. , HEARTRENDING SCENE. A WIFE'S FATE. BURNED TO DEATH IN THE PRESENCE OF HER HUSBAND. A TIRED-OUT SIGNALMAN. Press Association.— Telegraph—Copyright. London, November 3. A man named David McCulloch was badly injured about the head in the railway accident. His sister is missing, and is supposed to be burnt to death. Her little niece was killed. They were all on their way to Australia. j One woman was burned to death under the engine in the presence of her injured husband. The wife of Sir Donald Stewart was among those injured. The signalman admits he was asleep, having been tired out by watching at the deathbed of his child the night before. He asked to be relieved from duty, but the stationmaster refused. London, November 4. The Queen has sent a message of condolence to the sufferers in the Tnirsk railway accident. The signalman on duty at the time of the accident has been suspended. He admits that he foreshadowed the disaster. His mind, he says, was confused. He recollects the express passing, and then all is a blank. The officials do not deny the statement of the signalman that he had asked for relief, being exhausted owing to sickness in his family. The Chronicle, commenting on the matter, considers that those refusing to grant the signalman relief should be placed on trial for manslaughter, and adds that the case is one of the most revolting cruelty.