The Express.
London, England, 1863-06-03 00:00:00

THE FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT ON THE LONDON,
BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.

INQUEST UPON THE ENGINE DRIVER.
(THIS DAY.)

This day, at noon, Mr. William Carter, the
coroner for the eastern division of the county of Surrey,
opened an ioquiry in the theatre of St. Thomas's Hospital
relative to the circumstances attending the death of John
Salmon, aged 38 years, the engioedriver of the train which
ran off the line near the Streatham station of the London
and Brighton R►ilway, on the afternoon of Friday last, and
by which several other persons were killed, and a large
number wounded.

Mr. Sugar, from the office of Marra Faithfull, attended
to watch the car on behalf of the Loudon and Brighton
Company. and Mr. Carpenter, the superintendent of the
company, was also present.
The cue created great excitement, and there were a large
number of people present.
The Coroner, in opening the case, said that they would
no doubkremember that a train went off the line at Streatham
on Friday, by which several people were killed and wounded.
There was an inquiry pending at Streatham into the
deaths of three persons, and it was adjourned in the hope
that the jury would have the benefit of the evidence of the
driver and fireman. The driver had died, but the fireman
was programing favourably, and it was proposed to take the
evidence of identification, and how deceased met with his
injuries, and then adjourn until after the completion of the
Streatham inquiry.
Mr. Morton, the surgeon, said that the fireman, Edward
Tribe, was not able to be examined at present, but was pro-
gressing favourably.
_ _ _

John Walker was then called. He said—l am a guard in
the service of the London, Brighton, and South-Coast
Railway. I live at Pavilion-terrace, Battersea-fields. I
knew the deceased, whose name was John Salmon, and his
age was 38. He was in the same service as engine-driver.
On last Friday I was acting as guard to the train which
left Brighton at 5 o'clock. We left East Croydon at
eight =nuke past 6. The train oonsisted of 16 carriages.
There were three breaks, and the remainder were first,
second, and third class carriages. The engine of that train
was numbered 131, and the deeessed was the driver of it.
I did not speak to the deceased after we left Feet Croydon.
When near Streatham the boiler exploded and the engine
turned over. I saw the deceased lying on the bank. His
face was covered with mud and blood and he was quite
insensible. He could not speak to me. He was brought to
the hospital.
The Coroner said be would not take any more evidence of
this witness at present, but would examine the surgeon.
Mr. John Morton said—l am the house surgeon at this
hospital. The deceased was brought in shortly before eight
o'clock on Friday evening. He was suffering from the shock
from numerous injuries. Thom injuries were welds and
contusions on the legs, thighs, and body. There was a
large wound on the buttock of the left leg. His face was
very much scalded, and he was bleeding from several
wounds on the face. They were lacerations as from dirt
and cinders. There were some tinders sticking in. He was
sensible' but was suffering from the shock to the system
through the scalds, and probably some internal injury.
They all contributed to the shock. He was seen
by the surgeon, Mr. Simon. He remained in the
same state from the shock until he died on the
following day at three o'clock in the afternoon. I have no
doubt that he died from the injuries he bad received. I was
not present when he died, but a few minutes before.
John Walker, the guard, was recalled, and in answer to
the coroner, said that the train was the portion of a train
from Eastbourne, and was to proceed to Victoria Station.
The Coroner and jury then proceeded to view the body of
the unfortunate man, which was lying in the dead-house.
It presented a shocking appearance, the face being literally
covered with barns, scalds, and contusions. On their re-
turn into court,
The Coroner inquired of the solicitor of the company
whether it was proposed to take much evident* at the in-
quiry at Streatham.
Mr. Sugar raid the number of witnesses would not be
great, but their evidence would be long and important, and
the cross-examinations would occupy some time. He did
Dot think that the inquiry would be concluded in lees that.
several days, and there would also be the government in-
spectoTher.
Coroner—Has the government inspector been down
to the scene of the aceideot yet
Mr. Sugar.—Yes, sir, Colonel Tolland is inspecting the
line.
The Coroner said there had been an impression that the
engine which met with the accident bad brought the train
right through.
Mr. Superioteodent Carpenter said that that was quite
erroneous. There were three distinct engines to that train.
Georgina Pope was Oleo called, and said she attended the
deceased when he was brought in. He was severely injured
on the face, legs, and other parte of the body. She at-
tended him dutiort the night and again the following morn-
ing. Deceased did not in any way refer to what had
occurred.
The inquiry was then adjourned for three weeks.