THE HUDSON RIVER RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 796, 1 April 1871, Page 3

THE HUDSON RIVER RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

The following are the particulars as telegraphed from New York to the " News of the World" of an accident on the above named line of railway, by which some of the New Zealand mails are supposed to have been lost:— The freight train which caused the accident consisted of about twenty cars, most of which carried tanks of oil. Before leaving Albany every car was carefully inspected by workmen, and no defect discovered. When the train reached a wooden bridge over Wapenger Creek, New Hamburg, a sudden shock passed through the entire train, almost throwing it from the track. On examination it was found that the axle of the tenth car had broken, and the car had then broken loose from the couplings and careened on one side, struck the framework of the bridge, and lay a total wreck upon the track. At the same moment, and before a note or signal of warning could be raised, the express train which left this city at eight o'clock came rushing along at the rate of thirty miles an hour. The engine struck the wrecked car v.ith terrible force, setting fire to the oil and scattering the inflammable material and burning fragments in all directions. The force of the collision instantly threw the engine over the bridge into the creek. The ice was very thick, but was unable to bear the locomotive, which broke through and sank. The tender also fell into the creek.

Immediately behind the engines were two baggage cars, which were followed by a sleeping car full of passengers. The flames from the oil-tank set fire to these cars, which, after striking the wreck, feM. over into the creek a burning mass. It is said that some passengers in the burning cars succeeded in leaping out in time to save themselves from death, but the rest were carried with the car over the bridge, and either drowned or burned to death.