Woman died after Indian train came off tracks

A ‘BOLD and adventurous’ Sheffield mother lost her life when a train in Northern India derailed as it was being driven more than 15km per hour over the speed limit, a coroner has ruled.

Loraine Tonner, 55, of Millhouses, was one of two women killed when a narrow-gauge tourist service between Kalka and the Himalayan town of Shimla came off the tracks five minutes into the journey on September 12, 2015.

Joan Nichols, 60, of South Shields, was the other person killed when the train, chartered by York-based company Great Railway Journeys, crashed. Sheffield Coroners’ Court was told Mrs Tonner was travelling in the second of four carriages on the so-called ‘toy train’ with husband Robert Payne.

The couple were sitting next to each other with the aisle separating them, after Mrs Tonner moved seats to face the direction of travel. Mr Payne said he was looking out of the window and noticed the front carriage appeared to be leaning to the right. The front two carriages of the train came off the rails and Mr Payne was thrown across the carriage.

People climbed out to try to help her, using bottled water, cotton wool from the first aid box and cushions and pillows to try to make her comfortable. Mrs Tonner died from multiple injuries. Her family described her as “a bold, adventurous, positive Glaswegian with a sharp sense of humour”.

Witnesses said they were surprised at how fast the train was being driven.

Coroner Christopher Dorries delivered a verdict of ‘narrative conclusion’ for both women. He said: “Mrs Tonner died in India on September 12, 2015 of injuries received when the narrow-gauge train on which she was travelling derailed.”