Six confirmed dead in train crash
Six people have died and 11 are seriously injured after a train hit a car on a level crossing in Berkshire, emergency services have confirmed.
All eight carriages on the train came off the tracks in the accident.
The train, the 1735 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Plymouth, was derailed near Ufton Nervet, between Newbury and Reading.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter of British Transport Police a full search would continue throughout the night.
Walking wounded
The train, which was carrying approximately 300 passengers, was derailed at around 1815 GMT after hitting a car on an unmanned level crossing some 500 yards from the A4.
Dep Chief Constable Trotter described the scene as one of "great devastation".
All the carriages were derailed and on their side, he said.
Police, ambulance and fire fighters had been working together in very difficult conditions to free casualties, he told a press conference on Saturday.
It is thought all the injured have been rescued, but Mr Trotter said firefighters and police officers with dogs will search the wreckage and surrounding fields until first light to ensure there are no other casualties.
A total of 61 injured were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and others to the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke.
Carol Deans, communications manager at the Royal Berkshire, said 10 of the casualties were serious, with two in a critical condition with chest and pelvic injuries.
None had so far required surgery, she told the BBC News Website.
Consultant anaesthetist Dr Jonathan Fielden said the majority of minor casualties were suffering from cuts and bruises, with a significant number having trauma symptoms.
Passengers who survived the crash have given their reaction.
'Juddering halt'
Mario Lotti told BBC News: "I heard the noise of the wheels screeching very loud. There was broken glass all over the track.
"The whole thing tilted to the left side of the tracks. My carriage remained on the tracks but on its side, sliding along."
One of the train's passengers, Jonny Saunders, who works for BBC Radio Five Live, said he and his fellow passengers were "in complete shock".
He said: "We came to a juddering halt and suddenly the lights went off, screaming, shouting and it went pitch black, then total chaos in the carriage for a few moments.
Tim Grundy, an eyewitness to the aftermath, said the train looked like a "twisted baguette".
He said the middle sections were completely destroyed.
Emergency services
Richard Micklewright, who was on the train, said it looked like carriages were "strewn all over the place".
He said: "Our particular carriage went on to its side, about a 45 degree angle but fortunately it stopped shortly after that.
"I can tell you the carriage in front of us was upright, the one before that ended up at a right-angle to the tracks, beyond that I couldn't see clearly."
He also praised the emergency services, saying they had arrived in around 10 or 15 minutes.
Keith Lumley, a Network Rail spokesman, said the accident happened at an automatic level crossing with half barriers on each side of the road.
First Great Western has warned of severe travel disruption due to the closed line.
People worried about friends or relatives who may have been on the train are asked to call 08458 505505.
The Thames Valley Police casualty bureau number is 0870 010 0732.
domingo, novembro 07, 2004
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