THE TRAIN SMASH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 297, 25 May 1915, Page 3

THE TRAIN SMASH.

MANY LIVES LOST. A GROWING DEATH ROLL. By Cable—Press Association— Copyright, London, May 23. One hundred and seventy bodies have been recovered from Quint'on Hill, including two little girls. A dozen succumbed in the hospital four in the ambulances, and several are dying. The King, in a message of sympathy, made urgent inquiry about the suffering. One hundred and twenty-four were seriously injured. It was eight hours before the flames were mastered, the firemen at nine at night still pouring water upon tlie wreckage. During the morning's rescues an ollieer lying under a heap of wreckage, asked a soldier: — "Can you see me':" lie received a reply in the affirmative. " Well," continued the ollieer, "I am alive and can stand it for some time, but don't forget me altogether." Commander Oliphnut, who was in command of a, naval contingent aboard the express, freed himself and climbed on the roof of a burning carriage to release a Territorial. The roof collapsed and Commander Oliphant disappeared into a raging furnace. The sleeping section of the express was telescoped. The consensus of opinion is that the majority of those burned in the wreckage were dead before the llames reached them. The patience with which the injured, who were pinned down, awaited rescue, is described as admirable. The death roll would have been heavier but for the soldiers' cool discipline. The death roll in the railway nc/ideiit is hourly increasing. One hundred and ninety-live Royal Scots are dead. Nil missing, and -]" injured.