The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-06-14 00:00:00

FATAL It lILWAY ACCIDENT NEA.II KIDDER-
AIINSTE.F.

Oa Wednesday afternoon, • fatal seeident occurred on
the Great Western Railway, between Kidderminster sad
Churchill, by which two Adios, respectably connected,
were killed instantaneously. About a mile from Kidder.
milder, towards Cnurcnill, is a private crossing leading
to Hodge 11111 fearm, belonging to Mr. Witaon, add st
III) Miss Wtleou. eldest daughter to Mr. Wilion, and
Mts. Wood, of Umbersley, her suet, who wits on a visit
for tile day, were crossing the railway. A goods train
was running down to Churchill, and boto ladies were
standing on the up metals, waiting till the luggage
vain had passed. The passeuger train, due at Kidder-
minster at 4.36 was at the moment corning tip at full
speed, and. seeing the great danger of both parties the
driver of the goods train sounded his whielde for them
to get off the line, but the alarm was too -late. The
engine of the down train knocked them down, and
enrried the body of Miss Wilson about 250 yards along
the line, while the train was pulling-up. It was at once
discovered that life was extinct, though no external
serious injuries were manifest beyond a deep cut near
the right eye, and loreieser about tue face. dile bady of
Mn. Wood was severely mangled, her face being fright-
uoy, cut, aud her head almost tincspitated 10., Woes
Were Conveyed by train td the Kidd:rin,ost, r 'tannin'
Statiou, and trout thence tic the Railway Inn, Ana
they await a cur ner's
An loquest was LAJ on Lac bodies ma Thursday afters
nein, b Er,, Mr. Ooraet, Deputy Coroner. Mr.
Joseph Watcher, cousin of Mn-.. Witson, idenotied the
bolus, de seal he last sue them olive at Alt titre,
o'clocit On Wedneaday alter.," and Ins next he heard
of them sac that they were kited. The /treat Western
liadroty ran through Hodge Hui Finn. nod lAne wes •
private men l cios,ing for tne use of the oceupanta of the
faro. ihe.w wu, a cluiloo on the gates as to poems
neglectiug to shut teem being liable to a penalty, bat 1.0
waceing to persona to beeare of the trains.—Jaines
Uouteweod, engine-driver, said he Was in charge of a
luggage Wein running how Drottwich to Seem-bridge on
Wednesday afternoon. He pasael luddermiuster station
at 4.1.0 :did about a mile hotline on, appemehing
Inc
crossieg at Hodge THU Farm, he saw the deco:lntel.
They came au the line froue tae upside, and stool on the
cp metals apparently awaitiil for his train to pees lie
saw a pastieuger train comicg on the up line, sad ae
abotTed and motioned to the necessed, and also blew
his Wilititle. About forty yards or 60 !rata the cross.
mg bit euglae pouted thJ el4gine of the passeager traa,
and ha heard Ili, w.istle of vie atru r blowing! Deeesaed
hail t.kee 110 notice of tune sig anis, all ue saw tee
more elder.y of the deoem,ed fell from the passenger
traiu into the mx-feot, lie elided up as soon ea liJschie,
and Wont to her. The body wail beediag and timeless
tee passenger train had run uu, but tee void and a
gentleman twine back as soon as it coalli he stopped.
He did not see the other body. The deceasea were
only Olt tee lion a tew c.conde before they were roe
dom.. There was nothing to prevent deceased seeing
iooth trains, but toeir adeutiou appeared to be entirely
dir.e.ed to Wittiea.'s tram—l:often ‘I neht, the driver,
of toe passet.ger train (the 3.15 p as. from bane
niemtugean ti Worcester), said on appromuing tbe
crossing he saw the deceased breeding Ott the up road,
adpar,utly w..ting for tee luggage nain on the down
Line to clear the ciowneB. lie seas stoat eighty or
Lonely yards off when he low them, rod wad shutting
ell steam, to siackee speed. before I-tanning into
minister. He sound,' his little w .Idb, aati the big
one tor the sutra tue epoty Ina brae. Tee fireman
also pat on the brake, lie palled up about 250 yards
trout he spot where he a ruck the etc •ased. He saw
! one 01 tnew fad non tha six-foot, and ou looking for
the Other folla I Has was betng carried on Han front of
the elliptic. When his train stopped he get down, and
found Miss Wilson was trod. A pr,jeetleg pirce of
iron had strudt her, and carried her along It was his
i duty to whistle at eli Inv,' public eruisaiitga, and. at all
private our, when there Waw any appearance Of daLger.
and Mr. D. Corbett Were examined lia to
the injories deceased lied received, and stated they
must nava Leen holed lustentaneousiy. The dory re-
turaed a verdict of " Ae Alcune' Td.r.h."