RAILWAY DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 105, 19 September 1912, Page 5

RAILWAY DISASTER.

ROASTED TO DEATH. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London, September 18. The Chester-Liverpool express was derailed at Widnes. The occupants of two carriages perished. The wreckage took fire and many were roasted to death. Fourteen <!<v,d bodies have been recovered, and fifty r.re injured. A HORRIBLE CALAMITY. HARROWING DETAILS. Received 18, 9.40 p.m. London, September 18. The engine failed to take the points on a steep incline approaching Ditton, and dashed into a masonry bridge spansing the line. The carriages dashed on to the station and collided with the platform. The first two were reduced to matchwood, and the third and fourth were wrecked, and immediately caught fire. An appalling scene followed. The huge heap of debris was in flames, and the passengers were screaming in agony ■s they slowly roasted to death. Most of the bodies recovered are mutilated. One man was decapitated, and others had limbs torn off. One woman's face was burned away. The driver was killed. The fireman is alive, but he was pinned to the engine for four hours. Most of the victims are Welsh, and many are unidentifiable. FURTHER DETAILS. Received 19, 12.5 a.m. London, September 18. All in the fourth carriage were burned to cinders. Thirteen charred bodies were removed. Two of the injured have died | from burns in the hospital. The darkness and the fierceness of the fire rendered rescue difficult. Forty were injured, many seriously.