TRAINS SMASH

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 5

TRAINS SMASH

COLLISION IN ROUMANIA.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

BUCHAREST, Oct. 26

The Simplon Tunnel express from Bucharest collided with . another express near Slatina. The collision completely. wrecked the first-metioned express’s sleeping car, two first-class coaches, luggage van and mail van. It is believed that there are fifty casualties. Twenty-five were sent to the hospital.

BUCHAREST, Oct. 26

It is stated that the death roll in the x*ailway smash is over sixty. The previous lower estimate referred to only the identified corpses. It is feared that many people were incinerated. The mnjortiy of those dead are Roumanians. There were no British passengers.

The disaster occurred at, 2.45 o’clock in the *morning by means that have not vet been exnlained.

The Bucharest express was on the wrong line. The driver of the Orient express, which is one of the world’s most famous trains, rounded a curve at full speed, and then was confronted by the other express travelling at full speed towards him. Both of the drivers hurled themselves at each other with terrific force, the Orient express engine boring right through the Bucharest train before crumpling up into a mass of twisted iron.

Both of the drivers were killed. The leading Orient express coaches, including a luxurious sleeping coach, were telescoped. The noise wa,s described .•)s having: been akin to that of a wartime mine explosion, which was followed by an outburst of flames from the wreckage, which consumed the leading coach like lightning. BUCHAREST, Oct. 26. In' the train smash, the majority of those killed were soldiers. All of the at the nearby railway station fled. The first appeal for help was sent by a passenger, who had a knowledge of the Morse code, and telegraphed. In the meantime the uninjured passengers heroically attempted to extirpate the injured. Many peasants worked throughout the night. As it was necesary, to transport the injured for many miles, some of them remained beside the wreckage i all night long, slowly dying from theninjuries.

Among the dead is a Roumanian milit try attache at Paris.

CAUSE OF SMASH

SIGNALMAN’S ERROR

BUCHAREST, Oct. 27

An inquiry has established that the collision .was due to an error on the part of a signalman, who has disappeared.