NSW: Eight now confirmed dead, bodies removed, clean-up begins

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NSW: Eight now confirmed dead, bodies removed, clean-up begins

SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - Eight bodies have been extracted from the wreckage of a commutertrain that derailed south of Sydney.

NSW Police today revised down the number of passengers killed when the southbound trainleft the tracks and smashed into a rockface 4km south of Waterfall Station on the Illawarraline yesterday.

"The earlier estimate of nine people killed was a result of extraordinary difficultieswith disaster victim identification at the scene," police said in a statement.

The last body, believed to have been pinned under an overturned carriage, was removedat 4.35am (AEDT) today.

All eight bodies have been taken to Sydney's Glebe Morgue and authorities have shiftedtheir focus to the clean-up operation.

Emergency service personnel worked through the night, using three cranes to right twotrain carriages that fell onto their sides.

Work would now focus on "clearing the wreckage and debris," a police spokeswoman said.

"Work at the scene is expected to continue throughout the day," police said in a statement.

Police believe it is unlikely that any further casualties will be discovered at thescene, but three passengers remain in critical condition in hospital.

A total of 42 people were taken to hospital after the 6.24am (AEDT) train from Sydney'sCentral Station derailed en route to Port Kembla.

Of those people, 23 people have been treated and discharged.

NSW Premier Bob Carr yesterday ordered a full judicial inquiry into the incident andappointed Justice Peter McInerney, who headed up the inquiry into the Glenbrook traindisaster in December 1999.

Authorities will investigate whether speed was a factor in the fatal crash, with severalwitnesses reporting that the train sped up just before the derailment.

A State Rail spokesman said it was possible the train was travelling at up to 100 kilometresan hour, although the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said the area was a 60kph zone.

RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki rejected suggestions speeding may have caused the accident.

"He was very experienced and a very safe driver," he told ABC radio.

The driver was among those killed in the accident.

AAP hn/cdh/tnf

KEYWORD: DERAIL SECOND DAYLEAD