MORE DEAD

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 89, 24 March 1931, Page 5

MORE DEAD

BRITISH TRAIN WRECK

CAR ATTENDANT'S PRESENCE OF MIND

! TURNED OFF GAS LINES BEING CLEARED FOG HAMPERS RESCUE WORK Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 23. The actual death-roll in connection with the Royal Scot disaster has become six, with the demise in hospital of Dorothy Lang on the first day of her nineteenth year. She was returning from a holiday in Italy and was pinned for three hours under the wreckage, her head supported on her mother's knees. Oxygen was administered to both, who, though agonised, displayed great fortitude. The dining-car attendant showed great presence of mind in saving many lives when he rushed to the kitchen and turned off the gas, thus preventing an explosion, before he leaped off the train. The task of obtaining the names of the victims was completed amid fog at Leighton Buzzard station early this morning. Saltmarsh was identified by his son. He was going to the Clyde to view the phosphate steamer Triona, shortly sailing for Nauru. The railway station offices resemble a shop owing to the presence of passengers' personal belongings, awaiting claimants. Fast Tracks Cleared Both fast tracks have been cleared by breakdown gangs, who fed the wreckage to a bonfire for light and warmth, while four 120-ton cranes juggled with piles of debris into something approaching order, waving - the engine and tender aloft as if they were toys. The work of clearing 50 yards of slow track is proceeding. The King has sent a message of sympathy to Sir Josiah Stamp, chairman of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. FIGHT FOR LIFE Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 9.15 a.m.). LONDON, March 23. Though thick fog hampered it, rescue work continued throughout the night. One of the injured under the wreckage died after fighting for hours for life, and keeping up running conversations through a breathing hole, and partaking occasionally of sips of brandy while rescuers worked feverishly. Saltmarsh's body is not yet recovered.

The dead engine-driver, Hudson, was one of */ie company's most experienced drivers, and had driven theKing and other Royalties. Just before the departure a passenger, admiring the engine, remarked that it was a wonder that such mammoth locomotives could keep on the line. Hudson replied: "The faster we go the firmer we hold the rails."