TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN SCOTLAND.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 2, 27 October 1887, Page 4

TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN SCOTLAND.

FIVE MEN KILLED —MANY INJURED. On Aug. 15 a terrible accident ocenred to a party of workmen who were repairing a railway viaduct near Airdrie. Ihree men wete killed outright, two died shortly afleiwuds, and it is feared that two others will svucumb to the injuries they received. The bulge connects the CaUlerbank mid Chapelhall sections of the Monkhmd Iron Company’s Works, and bears a single line of rails over the Calder Water, which flows about a hundred feet below. The bridge had I ecome weakened at the Caldeibi.nk end, and a number of joiner’s about, noon wore employed in renewing a section by mot.ns of heavy beams of wood. A png engine came on the bridge front the Chapelhuil en I, drawing with it a waggon which deposited the beams, and n travelling <-ight-ton crane. The crane had deposited the beauts on the south side, and the train was returning, when flu* jib ot the crane gtvo a Bti Idea sway to the north sn'e of the btiJge, and immediately toppled over, dragging the waggon in which wore the joiners mid the engine clean over, and tailing a depth of 60 Icet upon the embankment below. On noticing the sway the driver, John Forrest, residing nt woodneul 1 , Chapelhall, immediately sprang upon the beams at the other side of ll.e rails, and succeeded in keeping his feet—a marvellous escape, seeing tbere was no tailing to hold by. The beams which hud been laid down by the joiners also gave woy, while the near one was clean snipped. The scene below was most distressing. The men lay in all positions in »nd under the fallen engine, trane, and waggon, which, with ihifficoms, were completely smashed. A testae party was at once organised. It was found, however, that the no mi who were beneath the engine and other debris anil I not possibly have survived, and when extricated tlaee of them weio in a dead or dying condition, their bo lit s being frightfully mangled and cut. As quickly as possible the bodies of the dean and of the injured weio removed on stretchers to the adjoining houses, where the efforts < f the medical attendants were supplemented by the aid of female-''•