13 AUGUST 1887, Page 2

A very ghastly railway disaster is reported from the United

States. An excursion train to Niagara, containing from 600 to 200 passengers, fell through a bridge which had taken ere, the engine-driver being unable to stop the train after he became aware of the fire before him. It is said that at least 200 persona were killed, and above 150 seriously injured. A considerable number of the passengers would also have been burned, but for the gallant efforts of fifty of them, who threw earth on the flames, and so extinguished them. As there were no instruments at hand for lifting the earth, this was effected almost wholly by hand.