RAILWAY DISASTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 11

RAILWAY DISASTERS.

BRITISH PUBLIC UNEASY. COMPANY DIRECTOR'S REPLY. EVERY PRECAUTION TAKEN, TRIBUTE TO ENGINE CREWS. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received January 11, 6.55 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 11. The public uneasiness at the frequency of railway disasters has been answered by Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Follows, vice-president of the London, Midland and Scottish Railways. He says the driver of the express in the recent accident at Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, was true to type. He was steady and solid and nothing could "rattle" him. The drivsr was typical of the 29,000 drivers and firemen on the system. Locomotives are better to-day than ever. Hie engine was one of the latest and best types. "Thus you had a man and a machine as near perfection as possible," said Colonel Follows. " I have absolute confidence in the permanent way. Every proved safety device has been adopted. Money is continually being spent on- experimental work. "Statistics show that there is a 36,000,000 to one chance that a passenger will be killed on every single journey he makes. Who can throw the first stone?"