A Railway Wreck.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11661, 22 January 1901, Page 3

A Railway Wreck.

One of the most disastrous wrecks on the Mexican Central railway for many years occurred on the night of December 1 at a point 400 miles south of El Paso. A double-header freight going down grade, and the south-bound passenger train, while running at full speed, came together. Eleven persons, including three American trainmen, are known to have been killed instantly, and 20 others were more or less seriously injured. The three engines were almost wholly destroyed, and many freight and passenger cars were torn into kindling wood. The pile of debris was 16ft. high, and many bodies were buried beneath it. The wreckage took fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. The freight train was running down grade, ana was unable to slacken its speed; but the passenger engineer applied his air brake, and both he and his fireman jumped to escape death. As soon as they realised the extent of the accident they both fled, presumably to evade arrest, as the Mexican law where loss of life occurs holds the trainmen to answer to the charge of murder. Engineer Ross and Firemen Reeves and Harveson. of the double-header, were among the Americans who lost their lives. Most of the others killed or injured were Mexicans. There was a large force of workmen on the freight train and many third class passengers riding next tbe engine on the passenger train. These were the chief sufferers.

In less than an hour after the accident occurred a wrecking train was sent from Jimulco, 25 miles distant, with several surgeons and nurses to attend the injured. Those who were able to be moved were conveyed to Jimfllco and placed in the hospitals. The wreck blockaded and tore up the track for several hundred yards on either side of the spot, and all traffic was for a time delayed.