ALPINE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1927, Page 3

ALPINE DISASTER

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) PARTS, Aug. 27. So far, 21 are dead and 30 injured, several of whom arc not expected to recover, as the result of the recent sensational Chainounix .railway accident, which was the worst in the history of the French Alps.,, A blinding snowstorm and fog caused one hundred tourists to crowd into a two-car train for the descent, and it is believed that the driver omitted to alter the sjieed in order to counterbalance the weight, which proved too great. The cars gathered speed in an alarming manner, and are estimated to have been travelling sixty miles an hour v 1" • locomotive jumped the rails, dragging the first carriage, containing sixty passengers, with it, the cog wheels failing to grip the ratchet rail. The guard had the presence of mind to uncouple the second carriage, containing forty passengers, and to apply the brakes. The first car was splinter-

ed to matchwood, . An even-ifor.so disaster was averted I hy a woman pa.‘■■sene'er. Despite the fog and snow, she ran along the line t and stopped a crowded train that was following five minutes behind the wrecked one, the occupants being ignorant of the smash. It was necessary to break open the cab of the fallen engine to rescue the driver, who died on the way to the hospital. Two more of the injured have died.

The second train carried the dead and wounded to the bottom. Among the victims wore two English girls, Adriano Matthew's and Mary Green, who were spending their first holiday m Switzerland. The dead include nine women and young girls. Several bodies were so mutilated that tho authorities issued descriptions of the clothing and jewellery, as the onlv hope of identification The ill-fated train started in a blizzard. Several passengers jumped Ivefore the crash. Some of these were badly injured, hut they certainly saved their lives. An official inquiry has opened. Meantime the officials only repeat that the brakes failed, though they should have acted automatically as soon as tho normal speed was exceeded.