Twenty Killed In Smash On New York Subway.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18550, 25 August 1928, Page 6

Twenty Killed In Smash On New York Subway.

RESCUERS WORK FRANTICALLY TO SAVE INJURED FROM WRECKED CAR.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received August 25, 2 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 24. TWENTY persons were killed in a subway accident during the rush hour to-night. The derailment was that of the rear car of a subway train at Times Square. Trucks split a switch, throwing the car sideways. The car struck a stanchion, breaking in two, the forward half slewing down the track and collapsing in a crumpled heap 200 feet distant. The number of injured has not yet been estimated. The rescuers worked frantically.—Australian Press Association-United Service.

ACCIDENT HELD UP ENTIRE SYSTEM.

NUMBER OF CASUALTIES NOT YET KNOWN. (United Press Assn.—-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received August 25. 4.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 24. Three hours after the most serious accident in the history of the New York underground railway the exact loss of life and the numbers injured is still not established. It is believed that at least twenty ■were killed and 100 seriously injured. The accident, which occurred at the peak of the home-going rush hour, para-

lysed the entire subway system, and left virtually 1,000,000 people unable to get home save by long and devious ways. Times Square, which is the virtual heart of the city, and probably its busiest spot, is to-night shut off on two sides by a cordon of police stretching arotind many city squares and streets. This neighbourhood is crowded with fire-fighting apparatus, and there is the difficulty of removing the injured and clearing the tracks for the restoration of the service, which is greatly enhanced by the fact that the accident occurred 40 feet underground, right in the Times Square area. The theatre district in the neighbourhood of Times Square, which is always one of the most crowded spots of the city, is to-night in a turmoil, the police having great difficulty in deflecting the crow'ds which every evening converge upon this small area to seek their places of amusement.—Australian Press Association.