The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-06 00:00:00

The Fatal Railway Accident at Margate.

MARGATE, Friday Evening.
After four days' tedious investigation the inquest on the
body of Mrs Lock, killed in the railway collision lure on
Monday, has been brought to a close. Several witnesses
were examined last night after the despatch of our parcel,
and as their evidence had an important bearing on the cause
of the collision, we give it in extenso.

George Cook, engine-driver to the mail train on Monday,
deposed that he started the train from Ramsgate by signal
from the guard, from whom he always took the signals. He
had a stoker with him, and the train consisted of 8 car-
riages, 3 break-vans,and a horse• box. There was one guard,
but he did not know his name. He did not see any other
guard, nor did he ask for one—but he thought there were
two. There ought to have been two guards, and he did not
know to the contrary until the train got to Margate. Had
he known there was only one he should not have left Rams-
gate. He did not see Marshall at all. They proceeded as
fast as they could till they got to the top of the bank, and
when they got over that he shut the steaut off. When they
got to the gate-house he told his mate to apply the:break.
He did so, and the wheels were all "skidding" when they
got near Tivoli-gardens. He found they were going rather
too fast, and aecordingly reversed the engine and put the
steam on again. His mate went along the framing of the
engine to the break-van, and put the break on there. He
tried all he could to stop the train, which ran right into the
station.

By a Juror—l did not see the guard during the journey
to Margate. We were 12 minutes doing it on Monday, and
the usual time is 10 minutes. I know Marshall, who has
usually come down in the train, but gone back again.
By the Coroner—We had not break power enough to
stop the train. I have been an engine-driver about 12
months, off and on. I have been 16 years in the company's
service as fireman and driver, and I have been engine-driver
this last time about three weeks; but previously I was an
occasional engine-driver for eight or nine months with
goods trains.

By Mr Towne—As fireman I have been quite accustomed
to use the break, and know when to shut the steam off and
apply the break.

By the Coroner—As I came along to the station I saw a
green flag exhibited, but I did not afterwards sea a red flag
I could not see who held the flag. Had I seen a red flag I
should have stopped if I could. The red flag is the signal to
stop. The signal post was at Caution. I heard no whistling
at the station. To reverse the engine does harm to the ma-
chinery. We have not usually more than four carriages to
the Margate train. The train was larger than usual on
Monday, and was too heavy for the engine. The guard ought
to have seen that he had sufficient break power for the car-
riages, as he does not know the power of the engine. Mr
Henderson ordered me to take that engine, which in my
opinion was sufficient to bring the train from Ramsgate,
but we had not sufficient break power. I had had two guards
until that morning from Ramsgate to Margate. It is Mr.
Darby's duty to put on the proper number of guards for
the carriages. Mr Darby was on the platform, but I did not
speak to him ; he saw the train start. I cannot say why
there were not two guards on Monday.
Mr John Blizard, stationmaster at Margate, said—On
Monday I was at the station on the arrival of the London
train due at 1 35. She was 35 minutes late. I saw her just
before the collision, but did not see any signals given.
my attention was celled by my signalman's whistle, I
was then in my private office, but came out directly, I
could not tell the speed at which the train entered the
station, for Ino sooner saw it than the crash occurred. I
sent off for medical men, and rendered every assistance to
the injured persons. I saw three persons injured, including
the woman who died. They were all in the third class.
The London mail train is usually in charge of two guards,
but it all depends upon the length of the train. I only saw
ono guard on this occasion, but according to the length
there should have been two. I do not know why there
were not, but that rests either with the station-master or
inspector at Ramsgate. Generally there are inspectors now
at all junction stations. .

By a Juror—The standing carriages prevented me seeing
the train coming in. It is usual to have that train on the
down-line, and sometimes in the evening we start an up-
train on the clown line. After 8 o'clock in the evening seven
trains are started on that line. It is not convenient to start
them from the other side. There is only an up-line and
one down-line at the station. It was formerly the custom
to detach the engine from the train on the down line, but
this was altered by order of the Board of Trade. Had the
stationary train not been standing there the damage would
have been greater and more fatal than it was. The red
flag denotes " Danger," or to stop.
By a Juror—We have 32 trains in and 31 out daily in
this month, The Margate station is sufficient for that
number of trains in and out, But if we had had another
plAtorta I should not have placed the Deal train on the

By a Juror—There was a 'torso-Lox, and the London
?uard should have had charge of it and the bill, but it
afterwards transpired there was no bill, it being for one of
the company's horses.

By Mr Towne—The station would be more convenient if
we had more room. In the London, Chatham, and Dover
station, next to ours, there is only one line.

By a Juror--It is my duty to see the trains are properly
guarded from Margate. Ido not know of a train being
stopped to put a guard on. Such a thing might occur and

I might not know it. The regulations of the company are
to send one guard to seven carriages, and when there are
more I send two guards. Those instructions are given to
station-masters and inspectors. Our instructions are
peremptory. I have been station-master here three years,
and one year and a half at other stations.

John Trewren, oboe porter, or pnrool clod{, haying bowl