AISGILL COLLISION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XL, Issue 13172, 4 September 1913, Page 3

AISGILL COLLISION.

SCENE OF DESTRUCTION

PITIFUL APPEALS FOR HELP

(Press Assn.—By Telegraph — Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 3.

Tlie ascent to Aisgill, where the railway collision occurred, is the highest piece of railway line m England, and the gradient is one m 100. The scene of the accident is m the heart of the Pennines and surrounded by bleak hills. There are only a few scattered cottages m the vicinity, and but little water was available, and doctors and nurses were unobtainable for hours after the collision. The railway officials aroused those m the sleeping cars, and made the passengers alight. Many women were only partially dressed. The passengers did not realise the seriousness of the case until a voice from the darkness cried : "Men wanted to help; no wome/i wanted."

Men running to help saw a desperate scene of destruction, and the outbreak of fire completed the tragedy.

Neighboring farmers and shepherds assisted the police to rescue the imprisoned passengers until the flames beat back the rescuers.

Many spectators sobbed to see handwaving to attract attention.

It was afterwards evident that there must be eight passengers roasting.

The rescuers tugged at an elderly man who was pinned at the waist until his clothes were pulled off and liis flesh torn. As. the flames crept up the man kept crying: "For God's sake pull me out."

Every few moments the rescuers had to pull back from the scorching heat. Finally they made a final dash and pulled out the man as the burning AvoodAvork released his Avaist.

In another case a clergyman saAV tha/. it Avas impossible to succour a man pinned under the , Avreckage, and raised his hat and offered up a prayer.

Mrs Morrison, Avho. was returning from a holiday with her children, Avas badly injured, but a baby m arms was rescued. • Mr Morrison's first words were: "Don't bother about me; find the children."

Three children are among the unidentified dead.

No list is possible ; m several cases the sex is unknown, and m other cases the only proof is corset bones found embedded Avith the charred remains.

Sir Arthur Douglas Avas travelling from GlasgOAV to Gloucester. His condition is critical, and the experience which he underwent while pinned under the burning carriage was a terrible ordeal. , . .

A man of advanced years is now m the Carlisle infirmary, whither six porters carried him, suffering from severe j burns on both feet and handß, and neck, head and his thigh. Apparently the illuminating gas es- j caped from the tanks beneath the car- 1 riages, and this has raised the problem as to whether electricity should not be substituted. This "problem was discussed m connection with the 1910 disaster. (Received Sept. 4. 9 a.m.) Charred remains of the victims of the raihvay accident Avere removed to Kirkby Stephen.

Tlie only means of identification are remnants of clothing, jeAvellery, etc.

John Patterson, accountant, London, three Morrison children, and tAvo young ladies haA*e been identified.

The inquest Avas opened and adjourned until September 17.

Sir A;, Douglas had a fair night, but his condition, is still critical. Other victims of the collision are progressing.

Nurse Fargie Avas identified by ; charred umbrella handle and Avatch. (Received Sept. 4, 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 3. The Trades Congress condoled Avith the relatiA-es of the victims of the Aisgill accident. Mr Chandler, delegate of the Railway Clerks' Union, remarked that the loAvest percentage of accidents occurred on German's State-owned TailAvays. s

Since 1892 there have been 24 raihvay disasters m Great Britain, involving the loss of 238 lives, as follows: — _.:■ . LiA-es ' Company. Accidents, lost. I London and North- western 3 ... 50 Great Northern 3 ... 32 Great Western . 3 ... 22 lxmdon and South-Avestern 2 ... 23 Lancashire and Yorshire... 2 ... 27 South-eastern and Chatham 2 ... 21 Midland ... 2 ... 17 Great Eastern • 2 -... 13 North British ' ... ... 1 22 London, Brighton, and S. Coast ... ... .... 2 ... 7 Great Central ../. ... 3 ... 2.