New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-13
SEVENTY-TWO LIVES LOST.
DISASTROUS RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN IRE
LAND.
SAD ENDING OF A sUNDAY.sCHooL EXCURSION
COSTLY BLUNDEss OF TRAINMEN-
SCORES OF PEOPLE INJURED.

Dublin, June IA train containing excursion
party from Armagh wrecked near that place
to-day. Tho train had board 200 persons, COM
posed Of Methodist Sunday-schOol scholars, their
teachers and relatives. They going excursion
to Warren Point. The latest dlspsoh from Armagh
that seventytwo persons killed by the accident,
and hundred passengers injured.
The excursion party left Armagh this morning, in
two trains. An accident occurred at point where
the trains had TO ascend a grade on bank fifty
feet high. The first train ascended the grade with
out trouble. The second section attempted the
cent but the weight Of the train proved TOO great
for the engine. Several were detached and
allowed 10 run back toward the level track. They
came into collision with an ordinary train from
Armagh, which was proceeding at good rate OF
speed. The excursion cars were completely wrecked
The scene which ensuod was heartrendng Hosts
OF volunteers were soon at hand and the dead and
wounded were taken from the wreck and carried down
the bank Medical aid called for, and special
train from Belfast brought To the scene twenty
surgeons from that city and number OF medical men
from other places between Belfast and Armagh.
IL is said that the engineer of the second train, find
ing his engine powerless TO pull the train up tho steep
grade uulinked several of the with tho object Of
taking the front portion Of the train to the station
ana returning for the remainder. Heavy stones wero
placed behind the wheels of the detached cars TO pre-
vent them from slipping but the locomotive on restart
ing gave the entire train shunt that displaced the
to slip backward down the grade their speed gradually
increasing until they had attained frighthn velocity.
After running four miles they crashed with terrific
force into the third train at point about mile and
a half from Armagh
Tho brake-power Of the engine Of the third train
inadequate.
While the second train ascending the incline
the engineer remarked to the fireman. - Am afraid
we can't do IT,"
When the engineer OF the third train the run
away he shut oil the steam and reversed the lever
The engineer and fireman then jumped from the engine,
shouting to the passengers to do likewise The latter,
however, not bearing the cries, did not obey. No
one was injured on that train The engine hurlei
seventy feet down all eulbsnkmen The carriage that
into the engine was shattered ~ splInters ana
fragments Of dress, umbrellas. etc. wero scattered
hundreds OF yards. dozen bodies woro found be
meath the engine In a parboIod condition. some OF
The occupants Of the runaway cars trind to escape but
the doors we're locked. The front part OF hc Train
started back In pursuit Of the runaway cars and Tho
passengers saw tho eOiisOn a. distance of 800 yards
The shreks Of the chdrcn we're horrible The
bodies Of The victims were Srian:od In rows ss SOP
ton There Is scarcely family In Armagh that has
not some one dead The embankment on which tho
accident occurred Is seventy feet high. Many touch
ing scenes witnessed. Jh children bOre their
injuries with great patience. Wrecking gangs arc
at work clearing away the debris private OF the
Irish FusIleers before the collision jumped OF the
foot plate Of OF the cars and dropped nar che en-
ssc.n" me hui MS ofIer was refused. In many cases
1
whole families wero kined; "
of the disaster horrided at tho sight that he
died the spot His body was taken 20 Armagh
| In his own
The engineer. fireman aud guard of the train and
the trafc managers clerk, were summoned before
magistrate and remsnded on tho charge OF being
responsible for the accident.
fhs disaster 5 unparalleled In the railroad history
% o = si b sSSr ana sss people
Beiose starting on he natal excursion tho ehlsdrcn
paraded through the streets OF Armagh With has and
! happy holiday. The accident happened opposite
Sir Cspel Molyneux's establishment on The Belfast
road The passengers give different accounts OF the
accident but they ali complain bitterly of tho
stupidity OF those In charge OF the
wrecked trai3 who, they, say, trct to block
| the wheels Of the detached cars with pebbles
| The train consisted Of fifteen carriages. The bulk
of the children In the front portion OF the
train. Only about dozen children wero killed
The majority OF the victims about twenty years
old They were ia the last carriage, which ~aS CON.
pletely smashed Many Of tbe occupants jumped
| hom the windows and escaped With slight iniurns
before the collision
The total number killed is 72 OF which "a have
| been identified.
At the formal inquest this evening the magistrate
said It appoarAd the face OF IL that there had
| been most culpabe negligence