Sign of distress from some of the late arrivals (4)
I believe the answer is:
tear
'sign of distress' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'some of the late arrivals' is the wordplay.
'some of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'TEAR' is hidden within 'late arrivals'.
'from' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tear that I've seen before include "A globule of eye moisture" , "Secretion of the lacrymal glands" , "Drop secreted by the lacrimal glands" , "Split - career" , "Rip or lacerate" .)