The Express.
London, England, 1854-01-09 00:00:00

THE COLLISION ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES

RAILWAY.

On Friday night the inquest upon the bodies of
George Hipperson and Edward Baldwin, stokers, James
Smith, carpenter, and John Underton, plate-layer, was
opened.
The accident, perhaps, is unequalled since the formation
of railways in this country. As the public may be aware,
this, like most others, was blocked up by the tremendous
fall of mow of Tuesday and Wednesday last. The London
mail-train came to a standstill between Wenden and Ches-
terford, where there is a cutting of some twenty feet in
deth, through Lord Braybrook's property. After many
hours' exertion, _the obstruction was partially removed,
and the train pursued its course, although at a very
slow rate. On reaching this point of the line,
another blockage presented itself. From here to
Harlintroad, a distance of betweea sir and seven miles,
the snow had accumulated is a drift to a prodigious extent.
By extraordinary efforts a passage had been cut through on
the down line of rails, but, before sending the mail on, the
station master thought it advisable to despatch two engines
with two or three carriages, so as to make more sure of remov-
i_og allobstruction, the mail'train following in a few minutes.
With the same object two engines, accompanied by Mr.
Ashezeft, the superintendent of the permaneat way, left
Harling-road station about four o'clock, and, as they had
received no intelligence by tel.-graph of an approaching
down train, they took the down line of rail., with the in-
tention of making all speed to Thetford with gongs of la-
bourers, so as to clear away the up line. It would also
appear that they laboured under an impression that the
mow had not been sufficiently cleared so as to admit of a
down train reaching Thetford. Owing to a fog prevailing,
and the high hillocks or drifts of snow, coupled with the
curved character of the line at this point, the drivers were
prevented observing each other's trains until close upon one
another. The consequence was that they came in collision
with tremendous force. The carriages attached to each train
were much shattered and thrown off the line, and some 12 or
14 labourers, who were seated in them, sustained severe in-
juries. Two of item, named Smith end Anderton, were
found dead beneath the debris. Seldom was instanced a
more deplorable view of suffering and destruction. As
quickly as possible the mail train, which was earning down,
was signalled to stop, and thus a second, and perhaps, more
serious catastrophe was averted. Assistantse being procured
from this station, the sufferers were brought on, and every
relief afforded them.
After some evidence had been adduced, the coroner sug-
gested the propriety of adjourning, in order to collect more
information respecting the occurrence. The jury acquiesced,
sad the proceedinp were soistillagby adjourned.
Dears or a PLIBISINia.-19onoitet to state that the
Rev. Mr. Bell, who maim! Men injuries in the regions
of the chest, dial youbialoy morning, after vomiting much
blood, and cuff detest excruciating agony ; thus
making five lives amodlooll by. Oa collision.

BURNING the evening of Monday
INK; en Enforce flen4* was publicly boned
(is OW) is the meat platy °Mayer. He was carried
I. the plea of eaeoatioe is a cart draemby an eau and ac-
ccuttineled by a loud of mode and toreh hearers. The de-
isolisispat the eWmat was greeted by the Marty them of
byeteadees.—liiisebwrit Adowlimor,