The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-05-19 00:00:00

FEARFUL COLLISION ON THE SALISBURY
AM) YEOVIL RAILWAY.

On Tuesday morning * Very serious railway
sesident occurred between the Dinton and Wilton
stations on the London and South Western Railway.
The forthightly special train to Salisbury market
arrived at Dintoa shortly before nine o'clock, and
it was allowed to proceed. The ordinary passenger
and luggage train, which leaves Salisbury at &R-
-pm* eight o'clock, arrived at Wilton a few minutes
before nine, and this train was also despatched.
Whether this train should have waited until the
arrival of the up-train, or whether the latter should
have remained at the Dinkier station until the down
train had passed, we are not in a position to state;
but it is quite clear, that some somanurication
should be kept up ty telegraph betwixt the stations
of the arrival and departure of tnains,in order to ensure
the safety of the public. There is • double line
between Salisbury and Wilton; but from this point
to Dinton there is only a single line, the second not
being as yet completed. The consequence was that
both trains came violently into collision near Bar-
t./rd. The line is very itraight about this part, and
consequently the drivers of the respective engines
, became acquainted some time before the trains met
of the mistake that bad been made, and their im-
pending danger. They with all promptitude applied
the breaks; but, unfortunately, the rails were
slippery on account of the wet that they would not
act properly. Seeing that • collision was inevitable,
1 the dnvers and stokers jumped from their engines,
and euesiped unhurt. The speed of each train had
very greatly diminished when they met, but an
. awful swath occurred. The engine of the up-train
. almost annihilated that in front of the Salisbury
train, and it was rendered entirely useless. The
permangers in the carriages belonging to the up-train
were thrown one upon another, and the carnage"'
belonging to the up-train were thrown one upon
another, said the carriages were doubled up. The
:I
mystery is that no lives were lost. Many, however, ,
sustained very serious injuries, from which they will ,
not recover for some time. When the nature of 1
the aosident was ascertained, • portion of the up-
train was hooked to Dinton, and the officials tele-
graphed to Salisbury for amistanee. Mr. Davis
immediataly despatched a special train to the scene
of the disaster, and the wounded pemengers were
taken on to fielishery. Mr. Coombs, of Tisbury,
bad suathised ouch severe interim that it was
found impartible that he weld proceed, and he was
removed to the residence of his sou at Barford. On
the arrival of the sufferers at &fishery, they were
eoeveyed in flys to the Salisbury infirmary,
where they were promptly attended to.
Mr. Bowles and Thomas Wright, of Shaftesbury,
received severe injuries to theirhands ; Mr. George
LAWII, of Chilniark, sustained an injury to the log,
and the whole of the passengers were more or lass
thaken. A number of labourers were set to work
to clear the line, which they succeeded in doing
during the course of the day. One of the engines
was thrown off the line, and thoroughly broken, se
also were several of the Carriages and trucks; but
the traffic wee speedily resumed, and all trace of the
incident removed. There is groat blame attached to
some one, and we have no doubt but that the South.
Western Railway Company will institute a searching
inquiry into the matter. This is another instance
of the ill effects of • single line of rails. Had there
been a double line the accident could not have
occurred, and surely the main line from London VI
Exeter should be an provided. The traffic between
the West of England and Mrs Metropolis is rapidly
increasing, and we trust that the Company will
consider the matter, and have a double rail laid
between Salisbury and Exeter at the least. Itcon-
&thence must necessarily arise, however well a 1
line may be managed, as the telegraphic apparatus I
easily becomes disarranged, and fearful consequences
might ensue from such a defect. Some remedy
must be provided, or otherwise the confidence of
the public will be shaken. Had the accident
occurred on any other p•rt of the line the result we
Lest would have been much more serious, and even
now it is a militate how the passengers escaped with
so few bruises.

Ott reporter has visited the scene of the accident, and
he bas thus been enabled to obtain further particulars
In referenee to this serious collision. It appears that
two luggage trains leave &Wintry every anon-fling; the
London goods at ten minutes before eight, and the
Southampton goods, generally. with two engines, at
twelve minutes after eight. The latter panes
the up special market train on Tuesdays
at Dialog', and the former at Tisbary. On
Tuesday, the 28th April, the special, owing to moms de-
lay on the part of the Southampton goods train, was
allowed to go on to Wilton. Tuesday the London goods
train was rather late, and the tip-special train was
Acted to proceed as far as Dinton, where it should
have waited until the arrival of both luggage trains.
The London goods mu despatched by the station-
master, Mr. Graves, who anticipated that the !market
train mould have waited until the arrival of
the Southampton goods. He accordingly went
Into the bookintoMme, and during his absence the
gave e signal, and the tram lift the Station.
guard
th
ravea asserts that he gang he luktmetions to the
guard, or *es any Agent given, nor the bell rung. If
this is correct the guard ailed entirely on his own re-
sponsibility, and contrary to the express instructions
tient Llta. The collision win much more merlons than
leas antinpited. The drivers or the ten luggage engines
were anab6 to pull up, as they were going down a steep
decline, and finding they 'meld not prevent the aceident
they "lighted from the train, and no estaped. The
(nerd of the luggage train also leaped from the carriage,
and bad be mot done so Wife nest have been sacrificed,
as the leader of the snood engine was thrown com-
pletely on to the top of the van, whist' cam broken into
splinting. The front engine was literally samehed
to atom, and rendered entirely enigma Several
earthen and track, were also greatly damaged.
Mr. Coombe*, farmer, of Titieijzi stn
to retained such severe
injuries thst they nm emove him to the
resides*, of his son at Endo . Several of has ribs are
Inactered. and from the severe shook bin system has sus-
tained, it is very questionable whether he will recover.
Mr. Godson, superintendent of the line, came down on
Tuesday and investigated the matter. He immediately
simPanded Badman, the guard of the up train, but
whether any other stem will be taken la not It present
decided. A number of workmen were engaged through-
out the day in clearing the line of the detria. and the
free traffic of the line was delayed for apnea* of four
hours,