The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-30 00:00:00

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DREADFUL ACCIDENT on the GREAT
NORTHERN RAILWAY.

An accident, almost as fatal in its result as that of
Abbot's Ripton on the same line in the early part of
this year, occurred at the Arlesey siding station, four
°miles north of Hitchin, en the Great Northern Rail-
way, on Saturday afternoon (23rd), at a quarter to 4
o'clock, when five persons were killed and about thirty
persons seriously injured. It appears that a luggage
train was being shunted across the down line when
two of the trucks left the metals and thus delayed it
in getting clear. Just at this time an express came
up at full speed, and, although the signals were
against it, the speed was not much diminished
before the engine dashed into Che luggage trein, cut.
deg its way completely through, and became imbedded
In ballast some distance further on. Toe tender was
torn from the engine, and with the carriages in the
front pact of the train become entangled with the
trucks in a confused heap. Six carriages were com-
pletely smashed, the compartments being torn away
from the framing and shattered into fragments and
strewed in all directions. The framework of the
smashed carriages, with the wheels inverted, rested on
the top of the trucks, 201 t. high.
Information was at once telegraphed to London
and Peterborough, and in a short time the breakdown
gangs arrived. Mr. Cockshot, Mr. Oakley, with Dr.
Branton and Mr. Carr Jackson, the conipany's medi-
cal officers, arrived in a special train about six o'clock.
The Three Counties' Asylum was fortunately near, and
Dr. Swain, Mr. Keppel, and the reat. of the medical
staff were on the scene in a few minutes, followed
quickly by Mr. Forster, Messrs. Shillitoe, and Mr.
Grellett, of Hitchin. The dead bodies of Pepper,
the driver, aid of the stoker, were picked up 100
yards before the point of collision. It is believed
that seeing the accident inevitable they jumped off
and were killed in falling. Passengers were extri-
cated from the broken eirriages and rubbish without
delay, the uninjured and slightly injured assisting.
Three ladies were found dead and much disfigured,
and there were about 30 persons badly injured. The
dead were removed to the "Lamb" Inn, adjoining the
station, to await the inquest. Some of the injured
were removed to the asylum and to various houses in
the village. Some wonderful escapes occurred. One
gentleman was hurled through the roof of his carriage
and alighted on a sandbank, escaping with a severe
scalp wound. In the next compartment two were
killed. Some passengers in the carriages that were
totally destroyed escaped unhurt. Among the in-
jured are Mr. Welch, a young gentleman going to
Oxford, a relative of Canon Liddon, who re.
solved a very bad compound fractured leg with ex-
tensive laceration. He was removed to Hitchin
Infirmary. Mr. Burridge, wfth very bad oompound
fractured leg, was removed to the Asylum. Mrs.
Burridge had her leg fractured, and received severe
internal injuries. She was taken to the Lamb Inn.
Mr. Tinton, stockbroker, of London, had his thigh
fractured. He escaped the first shock, and fell throngh
the bottom of the carriage, receiving injury by the
falling over of the carriage. He was taken to Mr.
Perry's, Green Arlesey. Mrs. Turton, who Wai
sitting in the centre division of the carriage, escaped
unhurt. Mr. Tinton, jun., a brother, bad ribs
fractured, with probable injury to lung. The follow-
ing were amongst those injured :—Mr. Leddeboer, a
Dutch gentleman, received injury to spine. Mr. H.
Wheatley received a bad wound. Mr. A. Wheatley,
contused forehead and sprained ankle. Mr. Faithful
was injured in the knee. Mr. Gibson had his arm
broken. • Others of the injured were removed as fast
as possible to Hitchin Infirmary.
The weather was thick at the time of the accident,
and snow fell heavily soon atter. Large fires were
kindled of the broken carriages. The up line was
cleared of the rubbish so as to allow trains to pass at
eleven on Saturday. The down line was not sufficiently,
cle3r to allow trains to pass till late on Sunday even-
ing. The express train was provided with vacuum
brakes, and the engine was of the newest and most
powerful make. All praise is due to the promptitude of
the Arlesey Asylum doctors.