TRAINS IN COLLISION

Chronicle (Levin), 4 September 1947, Page 8

TRAINS IN COLLISION

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

Rescuers Face Qiastly Scenes

CopyrigTit)

WII/N1PEG, Sept. 3. Tliirty-sevenNbodies have so far been removed from the wreckage as a result of a head-on collision on Monday night between an- eastbound trans-contmental train and a Canadian National Railways'exeursion train. The- accident occurred at 10 p.m. at Dugald Stafcion, 20 miles east of Winnipeg. Flames destroyed a nearby grain elevator. A survivor reported that two of the five wooden coaches in the excursion train burst into flames. Another survivor said: "I saw two women with. their heads toru off. We got five people out, but the heat was • so intense that we conld not work any longer. " Some of the bodies recovered to date from the- wreckage may never be identified and others may be known only through dentures and rings. Twenty-three bodies are- burned beyond reeognition. The only person who knew how many were aboard the Winnipeg bound eampers' speeial was the eonductor wh'o is among the missing but it is estimated 750 to 850 lioliday makers were travelling. Death eame quickly as the speeial — nine of whose 33 coaches were of wood — plunged headlong into the massive all-steel continental train. The special's second.baggage car burst into flames on impact and the following coaches split' their couplings and sprawled along the track catching fire one liy one.