The Press.
London, England, 1857-04-25 00:00:00

A CANADIAN RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

ONE of the few persons, a Mr. W. R. Marshall, who
survived the dreadful accident at the Desjardins-
bridge, on the railway near Hamilton, Canada West,
where nearly one hundred of his fellow-passengers
were killed, has written the following narrative of the
horrible occurrence :

There were nu incidents of a striking nature on the
trip from Toronto to the junction with the main line near
Hamilton. When within sight of the Hamilton station,
I looked at my watch and it was a quarter to six. About
this time the train began to go slower. Needy half a
minute afterwards I perceived quite a consternation in the
cars, passengers running to and fro, apparently much
excited. At the same time I felt a strange sensation as if
caused by something impeding the motion of the train.
It was not a shock, but at the same time every one seemed
to think that something was wrong. As I was not aware
of the dangerous character of the place we were approach-
ing I retained my seat, and advised others to do the same.
A slight pause ensiled, myself and those sitting with me
remaining still, but anxiously waiting the result, when,
with one jerk, we were precipitated into the yawning abyss
below. While descending I retained perfect consciousness,
and felt we were going down some awful precipice; not a
voice was heard in the descent. On reaching the bottom
there was one general crash, after which 1 found myself in

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total darkness, hemmed in on every side ; and crushed
almost to suffocation by human bodies and broken seats.
'f he blood oozed from my mouth, and it seemed as if every
breath I drew would be the last. The next few minutes
were the most awful I ever witnessed, oh! that it may not
be my lot to experience the same again. Some prayed,
others called upon the saints, others swore fearful oaths,
and all seemed writhing in the deepest agony. I can only
liken the place to a slaughter-house. The blood streamed
down over my face and clothes as if some huge beast had
been slain above me. In this fearful situation were placed
eighty or ninety human beings, who a few moments before
rejoiced in excellent health and spirits, their minds occu-
pied with worldly cares or pleasures. We remained in the
position above described for about ten minutes, during
which time I spoke to several around me, advising them
to be patient and wait for help. The top of the car was
then knocked in, giving us light and air, and enabling us
to breathe more freely. At this instant a crowbar, or
something of the kind from without, grazed my temple,
and the blow was about to be repeated, when by a sudden
effort I grasped the instrument, and called upon the petson
holding it to desist or he would kill me. Imrnediately
afterwards, a hand (from the size I should think it was a
woman's) was placed completely over my mouth so as to
nearly suffocate me. With great exertion I removed it,
and shortly afterwards was relieved from the wreck and
reached the edge of the canal, whence I was raised to the
top b 3 a chain fastened under my shoulders. On arriving
there, I was carried to the switchman's house, and re-
ceived much kindness from the doctors in attendance
and the company's servants. Shortly after. I was removed
with several others, in a car to the Hamilton station, and
thence taken to the house of a friend, where I am now
fast recovering from the effects of this fearful accident.