TRAIN TRAGEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 306, 31 December 1935, Page 7

TRAIN TRAGEDY

TURKISH RULER’S DAUGHTER. UNHAPPY LOVE AFFAIR. LONDON, Dec. 17. Despite official statements to the contrary, reports have been published in London than an unhappy love affair was responsible for the sudden departure from England of Mdlle. Zehara Aylin, adopted daughter of the Turkish Dictator, Kemal Atakurk, on the journey that ended in her tragic death in the Calais-Paris express. It is stated that Mdlle. Aylin had an affection for a young Englishman and both knew that the affair could not have a happy ending, because there was no likelihood of her adopted father giving his con sent to their marriage. When the affair became known, it is declared, it was decided that Mdlle. Aylin, who was attending a girls’ fin ishing school at Hampstead, London, should return home at once. Details of the romance were sent to Kemal Atakurk. The affair, it is alleged, weighed heavily on her mind, and caused her to be very depressed. Officials in France investigating the circumstances of her death have now made their report, and they reject entirely, it is stated, the suggestion that she was seen clinging to the handrail of the railway catch before she fell, res though trying to save herself. On the contrary, the only actual witness of the tragedy states, it is alleged, that she jumped clear of the train while it was passing the village of Ailly-sur-Somme. The story is supported by the fact that the only injuries were on the head, the skull being smashed in striking the ground. The body has been embalmed, and will be taken to Turkey.

The woman Pullman attendant made a statement that, she spoke twice to Mdlle. Aylin about the danger of standing by the open door of the coach, and the second time she insisted on shutting the door. Tile girl said, however, that the coach was too stuffy, and that she must have air. When next the attendant passed the door was wide open and the girl had disappeared, but it was not until the officials escorting her missed her that it was realised that there had been a tragedy. The report of the investigators is that there was no need to open the door to get air. which could be obtained by lowering of the windows.