THE HAWES RAILWAY SMASH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 222, 31 December 1910, Page 5

THE HAWES RAILWAY SMASH

EVIDENCE AT THE ENQUIRY.

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. London, December 29.

At the inquest into the Hawes railway accident, evidence was given that the fire started in the second carriage, the end of which was blocked with wreckage, and it was impossible to reach or help passengers. Six out of eight cars were burnt. The sleeping cars w°ere lighted with electricity, the rest of the train with gas. The flames appeared ten minutes after the collision.

A "Scotch mist" affected the view of the driver.

The inquest has been adjourned till January 12.

HOW IT WAS CAUSED. A SIGNALMAN'S CONFESSION. Received 30, 1,1.5 p.m. London, December 30. It is believed that the death-roil in the Hawes accident is thirteen. Though no relatives have enquired regarding a woman, the doctors believe that the bones of a female were discovered. A passenger has written to the Coroner, stating that he saw a young woman pinned in the debris, and held 'her hand for a few seconds. Sutton, a signalman, gave evidence at the inquest of his sending two engines on the main line in ord?r to make way for another train. His attention being distracted by the telephone, he omitted to signal the engines to proceed to Carlisle, and thus easued the disaster. He was fully occupied in moving light engines from one side of the road to the other, and by passing trains on the main lines. He did not attribute his omission to a lapse of memory, or to excessive worK.

His mate came to the signal-box, and asked where the engines were. Sutton telephoned to the next signal-box, realising that a tragedy had occurred, and said, "I have wrecked the Scottish ex-pr-ess."