Talking among the crew members, we decided to move the train, even though proper inspection had not been carried out regarding the railway tracks. Standing at the head of the engine, I led the train to move toward Urakami (district), shrilly blowing the train whistles.
We stopped the train near the Nishi-machi (district) railroad crossing, where we found lots of people clustered around, injured and screaming out for help. They looked so much in pain.
The carriage decks of the train were pretty high, and only a few people could manage to climb onto it by themselves. We helped many others to climb, giving them a hoist by the hips or the feet. Quite a few people who were seriously injured seemed to believe in that their lives would be safe if only they were put on board. So they tried with all their might to get up onto the decks. Once they were certain to be properly on board, they were too weak and numb to walk even a step toward the seats in the carriage.
While helping these people, we heard cries for help from other victims everywhere, in the surrounding hills and paths. It was a pity that we could not extend our hands to them.