TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8763, 26 April 1890, Page 2

TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

RUNAWAY TRUCKS COLLIDE WITH A TRAIN.

GREAT LOSS OP LIFE. [per press association.]

Sydney, April 26. — A terrible railwayaccident happened at Bathurst on Friday night. A great crash like an explosion was heard about 7 o'clock proceeding from the gates in Russell-street. The ongine was found with the front crushed to atoms, as were the carriages and trucks, and several dead bodies wore found lying about. It appears that a mixed train left for Sydney at G. 30 p.m., and when ne.ir Raglan several truck couplings gave way, and many of the trucks came down from the zigzag past Raglan at a great speed, and dashed through Kelso station. At Bathurst a goods train was just about to start for Sydney, but failed to get out of the way of the ruuaway trucks, and a terrible collision resulted. The loss of life at present is indeiinitely known, but live bodies have been found. Some of these had been killed by the shock, while others were dreadfully mutilated. Tlie guard's van and passenger carriages were completely telescoped by the engine and train from Bourko, and is nothing but splinters. So far as known, several children named O'Connor, who were returning from school, are all killed; Mrs Franklynand the driver oi! the Bourke train were also killed; ami a child named Noonan was seriously injured. LATER PARTICULARS. The driver of the Bourke train was not killed, as was iirst reported, but he sms tamed severe injuries. Two liremeu also are seriously injured, and had a miraculous escape from death. Those killed are Michael Downey, Mrs Franklyn, Ilcnry O'Connor, and Maude Radford. Miss Godfrey and two others, whose names havb not been mentioned, sustained injuries from which they are unlikely to recover. The stationniaster at Raglan, when he saw the runaway train go, wired to Bathurst and Kelso: -"No. 2G broken away;" but at that time the up goods train had "left for Kelso. He says he at once rushed on to the platform, and saw the runaway crossing the bridge over the Maequarie river at a terrilic pace. No time seemed to have elapsed before lie he h ard a dreadful crash, followed by a noise of escaping steam and smashing timbers. The runaway train consi ted of five trucks loaded with goods ami sheep, one empty horsebox, one six wheeled carriage and composite brake van. The two litter besides severed of the trucks, were smashed to atoms, and some portions of them thrown over the top of the engine on to tha tender. The engine itself was broken and crushed up to the tubes of the boiler.