The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-25 00:00:00

Fearful Railway Collision.

PONTYPOOL, Wednesday.
A fearful collision between an excursion train and a
mineral train occurred at the junction of the West Midland
and Taff Yale Extension Railway, at Pontypool-road, last
evening. The following are the particulars as ascertained
upon the spot by the reporter.
Yesterday morning an excursion train left Worcester at
7.25 for Crumlin Viaduct, one of the great attractions of
Monmouthshire. All went on well until the train was on
the way home in the evening. The train had only travelled
about six miles, however, when the occurrence we are about
to narrate happened. On the return from Crumlin the train
consisted of ten passenger cat riages and three break-vans,
each having a guard to work the break. They approached
the Pontypool-road station at about half-past 5 o'clock in
the evening, and had been preceded about ten minutes by a
coal train. Pontypool-road station is approached from
Crumlin on a rather steep incline descending to the station,
and the run in is also on a sharp curve. The driver of the
excursion train was coming down the incline, the signal
being "All right" for his approach, when he saw the goods
train on the rails in front of him. He immediately shut off
the steam and whistled for the break to be put on, but the
impetus with which the train was travelling rendered a col-
lision unavoidable. The driver jumped off and escaped un-
hurt, but the stoker, who stuck to the engine, was badly
injured. The collision was fearful, and the cries of the pas-
sengers which followed the crash were terrible. Of the coal
trucks four of the hindermost were completely smashed •
The guard's break was broken from end to end, nothing be-
ing left entire but the bottom. The guard, David Jones,
who was at his break when the collision occurred, was fear-
fully cut about the head and face, and one of his hands was
badly lacerated. After his wounds had been sewn up he
was conveyed to Hereford by special train, and now lies
there. The first carriage of the passenger train was an old
Great Western third class, both ends of which were demo-
lished and the sides stove in. The next was a first-class
saloon West Midland carriage, which was served in a
similar manner. Both ends of the carriage were broken in,
and the wood and glass scattered ever the passengers.
Strange to say, however, the passengers in these two car-
riages were less injured than others nearer the middle of the
train. All the passengers were thrown together with great
violence, and many of them were severely cut about the
head, legs, and various parts of the body, but happily, as
far as we could learn, no bones were broken. The confusion
that ensued, as may be imagined, was very great. Among
the
passengers was Dr Woodward, of Worcester, who,
escaping with a few bruises, rendered valuable aid to the
injured. Other medical assistance was sent for and Dr,
Laurence and Mr Thomas, surgeon, of Pontypool, were
quickly in attendance, and, having bound up their wounds,
they were sent on by the ordinary six p.m. train and a
special train which followed. It is hoped that the whole
will eventually recover. The most injured are Miss Gee,
of Worcester, and another lady (name unknown), besides
the guard, Jones. Miss Gee is injured in the spine. This
is the most serious case. None of the carriages were
knocked oft the line or they would have been precipitated
down an embankment. The rails wets only slightly bent,
and a staff of labourers has been occupied to •day in remov-
ing the ruins of the broken carriages. The traffic has been
very slightly
hindered in consequence of the accident.
The cause of the accident is attributed to neglect on the
part of a signal man at the Pontypool-road junction. The
approach to the station from the Taff Vale extension line,
as already mentioned, is down a sharp incline, and the
signal man, William Phillips, had instructions not to let
the passenger train pass untill the goods train, which pre-
ceded it, had been put into a siding. Contrary to these
orders, however, it seems he kept the signal up "line clear,"
and therefore the driver of the excursion train came on
round the curve, and ran into the goods train.
The above aro the facts as ascertained on the spot.
Phillips, the signal man, is in custody; and, of course,
there will be au official inquiry. The spot where the acci-
dent happened is about three miles from Cwmbran,
where, about two years ago, a passenger train ran off the
rails into the station, killing one person and injuring
others.

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