TWO TRAINS IN COLLISION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20501, 18 May 1938, Page 7

TWO TRAINS IN COLLISION

SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED, 50 INJURED LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAY CRASH NERVE-RACKING WORK BY THE RESCUERS (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 18, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 17 Seven persons were killed and 50 were seriously injured in London’s worst underground railway smash, w’hen two crowded trains collided between Charing Cross and the Temple stations. One train partly telescoped the rear carriage of the other, which w 7 as almost at a standstill. The side of the carriage in the front of the first train was almost ripped out. Most of the victims were occupants of the front carriages of the oncoming train. A member of' the railway staff who w’as among the first rescuers said a short circuit after the crash caused a fire, which was put out by the carriage extinguishers. The current was then cut off. Mr E. L. Burgin, Minister of Transport, and Lord Ashfield, chairman of the Transport Board, visited the wreck. The underground system has a remarkable safety record. The chances of collision as a result of a technical fault are estimated at one million to one.

APPALLING SCENES

EXTRICATING THE INJURED • FiriE FOLLOWS THE CRASH A MELANCHOLY PROCESSION United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received May IS, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 57 jr’-v' Charing Cross was converted into a vast casualty clearing station. Dozens of doctors, students and nurses were rushed from the Westminster and Charing Cross Hospitals, and worked feverishly by the light of flares and torches to extricate the injured and ease the suffering of those seriously injured. Many passengers under the debris and others lying on the track were given injections of morphia. Cylinders of oxygen were carried into the

tunnel to revive the worst cases in the foul atmosphere. Forty firemen and railway workers assisted in Hie extrication of the injured, amid Ihe deafening noise of the drills used to cut a way through Hie' wreckage. The police faced the enormous task of controlling the thousands of people in the vicinity of the Charing Cross station, where ambulances and fire engines were four deep. The greatest difficulty was experienced in removing the patients because of the crowds. Superhuman Efforts The melancholy procession continued for 150 minutes, after which the last four of those who were trapped were extricated as a result of the' superhuman efforts of the rescuers, who, stripped to the waist, were forced to jack up a carriage. Almost the entire resources of Charing Cross Hospital were placed at the disposal of the rescuers. Many patients were removed from their beds to accommodate those who were injured, including the guard pf the front train, who suffered a broken leg. The other driver was not injured.