FEARFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR BERLIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1173, 13 November 1883, Page 3

FEARFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR BERLIN.

A railway accident of a deplorable character occurred at the Steglitz Station on the Berlin-Potsdam Railway on September 2. The station is only half an hour’s run from Berlin. The accident is felt all the more painfully, as those who have perished are exclusively from Berlin. The accident is distinguished from all previous catastrophes, as it did not arise from a collision, or from any of the usual causes of railway accidents. The Rhine express, which was travelling at nearly half a mile a minute, dashed into a crowd of about 400 persons who were waiting for the train to take them home. Thirty-nine men, women and children were killed instantly, or severely wounded. Two died shortly afterwards. From what can be learnt as to the cause of the accident, it appears that someone raised the barrier in order to cross the rails, whereupon the whole crowd pressed forward with a similar intention, eager to get seats in their particular trains. At that moment the express approached. The officials had endeavored to restrain the crowd, shouting to them to keep the line clear, as the express was coming. The officer in charge of the barrier showed the danger signal. It was in vain, as it was found impossible to bring the express to a standstill in time. The cries of the wounded continued throughout the night. Soldiers who had witnessed many battles declared that they had seen nothing so dreadful. Heads and limbs were severed from the body, as if cut off by the amputation knife. One young wife, who lost both her legs, was delivered of a child in the station. They died in transportation to the hospital.