Terrible Railway Accident in America.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1514, 18 March 1882, Page 4

Terrible Railway Accident in America.

A terrible accident occurred on Jan. 14 on the Hudson River Railroad. The train conveying the members of the State Legislature from Albany to New York was run into by a local tiain at Spuyten Dyvil Creek, situated in the outskirts of this city. The engine of the local train crushed into two Wagner palace cars, which were completely telescoped, and instantly caught fire. The number of persons killed is between eight and twelve, including Mr Wagner, a member of the State Senate, and the owner of the palace cars. Four bodies, tuiiibly burned, were taken from the ruins of the train, and several others are still missing. Among those injured are several members of the Legislature. Later particulars state that the brakeman who was sent out to the rear failed to signal a local train fiom Tarry town, which ran into the palace cars on the Albany train. The cais caught fire. Nine persons were killed, most of whom werejroasted alive, while forty persons were injured. Senator Webstcv Wagncv'sbody was only recognised by < #i memorandumbook in his coat pocket. Ho was a highly esteemed Republican member of the New York Legislature, and was the inventor of the palace cars used on the line. His death does not affect the Albany Legislature deadlock except to delay any further attempt to elect the Senate officers till after his funeral. An investigation has shown that the brakeman, when the train stopped, went about seven car-lengths back round the curve through the rock cutting. He then saw the Tarrytown train coming about the same distance from him. He waved his red light, but the train passed him at the rate of forty miles an hour. The brakeman has been arrested, the officials believing that he neglected his duty. Among the dead also are a Mr Park Valentine, of Vermont, and his wife, on their wedding tour, and who were married but a few days before.