Now we go back to shocking scenes from yesterday, from what authorities say is the worst rail disaster in 40 years. There were 366 passengers on the Puyuma Express traveling along the East Coast when it careered off the tracks, overturning and crushing several to death instantly.At 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, the Puyuma Express 6432 service was passing through Xinma station when it came off the tracks. Mr. Tseng had been seated in Car 5. Upon climbing out of the train, he could scarcely believe his eyes.Voice of Tseng Kuo-chihPassengerAt Xinma station, there was a big turn. We heard a loud sound. And not long afterward, the train overturned, derailed, and then went on a skid for at least 70, 80 meters.The scene after the crash was horrific, with the carriages turned on their side, forming a W. Surveillance cameras from Xinma station recorded the 12 seconds when the Puyuma sped around a bend and then rushed off the rails.Firefighters smashed the train''s windows to pull out those trapped in the wreckage, trying to console distraught passengers as they worked.Even as dusk fell, the search and rescue mission continued. Rescuers holding flashlights picked through the carriages on a search for passengers. In the end, they counted 18 dead and 187 injured.
