Series of Real-time EmergencyNet News Articles Concerning A Major Train Crash Near Paddington Station in London, England - 05 Oct 99
02:52CDT - 05 Oct 99
London, England -- Early and largely unconfirmed reports are coming in of a major train crash in W. London. Few details were immediately available, but it appears two trains may have crashed at/near Paddington Station. It is being called a "major incident" by emergency service sources. "Numerous injuries" are being reported by a police spokesman.
A fire is said to have broken out after the crash. At least fifteen ambulances, 12 fire engines and 70 firefighters have been sent to the scene after receiving a "999" (9-1-1) call at about 0810BST.
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04:00CDT - 05 Oct 99
London Train Crash; At Least 1 Dead, 250 Injured
London, England -- A W. London train crash that occurred at the height of rush hour has claimed the life of at least one person and injured more than 250 others, according to Transit police officers. There are still reports of people being trapped in the wreckage, and the death toll may rise. An early fire that was reported has now been extinguished, according to Fire Brigade officials. At least thirty (30) ambulances have been dispatched to the scene and rescue efforts continue at this hour.
Eyewitnesses said that both trains involved in the incident have derailed and several cars are overturned and on their sides. No cause for the collision was immediately determined, and Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions said that railway inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive had been sent to the crash scene.
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05:00CDT - 05 Oct 99
Four Dead, Hundreds Injured in London Crash
At least four (4) people are now thought dead and hundreds injured in this mornings train collision that occurred about two miles from Paddington station. Rescue efforts continue at this hour and reports from the scene say that some people are still believed trapped beneath the overturned train cars. A number of victims are reported as suffering from burns, broken bones, and internal injuries.
Firefighters and EMS personnel are currently using cutting equipment to attempt to gain access and extricate additional victims from the crumpled remains of at least eight train cars. Officials say that they fear that the death toll may continue to rise as rescuers work frantically to save others still in the wreckage.
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06:00CDT - 05 Oct 99
Death Toll Rises to Eight (8), At Least 160 Hurt
The latest information coming from emergency service sources says that at least eight people have been confirmed dead and that the death toll may continue to rise as firefighters and EMS personnel extricate victims from smashed train cars. More than 160 people are reported injured, with at least 30 of them reported to be in critical or serious condition at London-area hospitals.
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13:330CDT - 05 Oct 99
26 Reported Killed In London Rail Disaster
According to emergency service sources, at least 26 bodies have been recovered in the Paddington rail tragedy that took place early this morning. The latest reports from England say that another 150 people have been injured, at least 25 of them seriously. Firefighters, police, and EMS workers continue to comb through the wreckage of several transit cars in an attempt to recover all of those killed by this morning's rail disaster. A major inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collision and derailment has been begun and dozens of investigators are on-scene and gathering details about the crash. EmergencyNet News is monitoring developments closely and will provide updates as more becomes available...
From: ERRI EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-EmergencyNet NEWS Service-Wednesday, October 6, 1999-Vol. 3 - 279-09:10CDT
ENGLAND
Death Toll Still Expected To Rise In British Rail Disaster
British authorities say the death toll in the Paddington rail crash is expected to "rise considerably higher" than the 27 so far confirmed dead. It is now believed that Tuesday's disaster at Paddington is set to eclipse the 1988 Clapham crash in which 35 people died. "Many" bodies are believed to be trapped in a rail car which was gutted by fire. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter, of the Metropolitan Police, said the search for bodies was concentrating on the front first-class car of one train, which was "devastated" by fire. The search for victims was suspended on Tuesday night with the emergency services sure there was no one else left alive on either train.
An initial British Health and Safety Executive investigation suggests that one train passed one red and two yellow warning signals, slamming into the other train which had been given a green light.
Trotter said the search would be a "laborious" task and pointed out, with much of the wreckage in a precarious position, the safety of rescue workers was a priority. There are reports that some of the rescue workers were sent home because they have been traumatized by the incident. Trotter refused to comment on speculation about the final death toll but said there were about 500 people on a Great Western train and at least 100 on a Thames train.
Besides the 27 confirmed dead, 165 were taken to area hospitals. Forty-seven people remain in six London hospitals -- ten in intensive care units and another six in specialized burn units.
Retrospective:
11 Jan 2000 -- BBC Report; London Train Crash: Special Report
(c) Copyright, EmergencyNet NEWS Service, 1999. All Rights Reserved. Redistribution without permission is prohibited by law.
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