RICHMOND DISASTER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 873, 20 July 1910, Page 7

RICHMOND DISASTER.

FURTHER DETAILS. LONG LIST OF THE INJURED. CONFLICTING EVIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, July 19. The correct list of killed reduces the number to nine. Mr. 0. B. Smith, whose name was previously included, is safe. Tho name "Hunger" in tho list of tho killed should bo "Hawgler." Tho latest return makes tho number of wounded 110, but the majority sustained only . slight. injuries or shock. • The work of rescue was difficult and dangerous, and lack of proper tools impeded it greatly. The crowds round tho battered oarriages caused much confusion. Despite the best efforts of large bands who got to work as soon as it was humanly possible, some of the injured had to be left pinned by the debris for a'long time. Their sufferings were terrible. Meanwhile, good Samaritans, many of them with their own faces bruised and bleeding, were holding cups and glasses of water or stimulants to the lips of those accessible among the wreckage. . . There are numerous stories of remarkable escapes by those who travelled in tho colliding trains last night. About twenty-sis of tho injured remain in the hospitals. The. most serious cases are broken limbs and injured spines, and there are bad cases of concussion.' The majority are progressing satisfactorily. Evidence regarding the factors leadinp:' to the smash is conflicting. The signalman at the Richmond station declares that • the signal was against the Elsternwick train. CLAIMS FOR DAMACES PILE IN. NO MORE DEATHS EXPECTED, '~. (Rec. July 19, 10.25 p.m.) Melbourne, July 19. ■ Tfcij claims in connection with the, railway accident arc mounting up. Already about 140 have been lodged, including many from persons suffering from shock and slight injury. Private settlements are being made where possible. The more serious oases will • involve a large sum. The injured- are making good piogress, and no further deaths are expected. ■■■"■■ BOARD OF INQUIRY APPOINTED. INJURED LEAVING HOSPITALS. ■ STJNSHLNE VICTIM AGAIN ' SUFFERS. (Rec. July 20, 1.20 a.m.) Melbourne, July 19. The Railway Commissioners have appointed '& board of experts to inquire into the accident, all of whom sat on the board which inquired into the Sunshine disaster. ■ ■ The majority of the injured were able to leave the hospital to-day. • ' Only about six serious cases remain. Miss Redish, one of the victims, who is suffering from an injured spine, went through the Sunshine, accident,, when she was severely injured. THE SUNSHINE DISASTER.. The Sunshine, or Braybrook, disaster referred to in the cable messages, occurred on Easter Monday, April 21, 1908. . . Two trains, from Ballarat and Bendigo, respectively, both crowded with returning excursionists, came into collision, at Braybrook Junction, eight miles from Melbourne. Two cars and a guard's van were telescoped. Forty-two bodies were recovered, and the number of the injured amounted to 140. The Bendigo train, drawn By two heavy engines, was following that from Ballarat, and crashed into tho rear of it as it was leaving the platform. Five oarriages of the Baliarat • train were smashed. , The Bendigo train was - not seriously damaged Among the killed was a young bride who had only been married on'the previous day. The driver of the Bendigo train stated that he saw the signals, and. when the brake failed, to. act he reversed -the, engine,? but. was unable to oheck the tTain. The brake had acted promptly at the previous stopping station.