The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-01 00:00:00

* THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1862.

Aldershott about a month, quartered in the North
Camp. The Ist battalion Coldstream Guards,
Colonel Steele, C. 8., at present under canvass on
Cove-common, will leave on Friday for Windsor,
greatly to the regret of encloses at Aldershott, the
extraordinary efficiency of tleir drill imparting a
general steadiness, and add* c-msiderably to the
manoeuvres on field days. Adetachment of the 3d
(Buffs) left Aldershott last week for the Tower.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE MID-

LAN!) .RAILWAY.

MARKET HARBOIOUGH, AUG. 31.

The accident on the Midlard Railway, on Thurs-
day night was not attended with quite such imme-
diate fearful results as was sated on Saturday. It
was, however, of an appallivg character, one man
being killed on the spot, upvards of 20 others se-
verely injured—two or mole of them there is too
much reason to fear fatallyso—and some 30 or 40
others sustained injuries of s less severe character.
The train to which the acciient occurred was a re-
turn excursion train from lurton, Melton, Leices-
ter, and Manton. It starter' from those places on
Wednesday morning for London, and was to return
on Thursday evening; and was advertised to start
on the return journey froo King's-cross station at
half-past 7 in the evening. From the number of pas-
sengers, however—there were some I,soo—it was
determined to divide Vie train into two, both on the
_uttiourneystind-the On the down journey
there were 49 carriages altogether, and they were
divided as equally as might be, 25 being allocated
to one train and 24 to another. Besides the large
number of carriages, another reason for making
two trairn of them was that a great proportion of
the passengers came from Burton, and it was
convenient to have them altogether, as the car-
riages containing them Would have to leave the
main line at Knighton Junction in order to get on
the branch to Burton. The first train, consisting of
25 carriages, contained the Burton passengers, and
the second, consisting of 24 carriages, contained the
passengers to Leicester and Manton. Though ad-
vertised to start at half-past seven, the first train
did not start till 10 minutes to eight, and the second
started five minutes afterwards. The distance from
London to Market Harborough is 81 miles, and the
first train arrived at that station at seven minutes
to eleven. Here it stopped for water. The tank
from which the water is obtained for the engines of
the down trains is at the north end of the station ;
but the train extended to about 30 yards beyond the
signal posts, which are to the south of the station.
The second train, it appears, stopped for water at
Bedford, which is 472 miles from London, and it is
alleged that as it was going into the station at Bed-
ford the first train was just going out, and the red
lights at the tail of the train could be distinctly
seen. The operation of taking in water ordinarily
occupies from seven to ten minutes ; so that the first
train had the start from Bedford by at least seven
minutes, and this distance of time between the two
trains seems to have been kept up till they got to
Market Harborough, but the first train did stop
there for water at seven minutes to eleven.
The station was closed, there being no more trains
expected to stop that night ; the lights were all put
out, and the London and North Western station-
master (it is a joint station of the two companies)
was going to bed. Hearing the train stop, how-
ever, he went out on the platform to render any as-
sistance that might be required. A number of the
passengers alighted, and some of them expressed
their anxiety with regard to the second train, which
they knew was close behind them ; but the majority
appeared to be merry, and many were the tender
inquiries " How's your poor feet," those who used
that slang phrase being little aware how soon that
same inquiry would be made of many of them
in sad reality. They had all been got into
the carriages, the doors were closed, and the train
was just about to start, or rather had started, the
engine having given one or two puffs, when the
alarm whistle of the engine of the a...a train
was uealu suundiag 1.911 d, long, and continuously.
The guard of the first train seeing the second ap-
proaching, and that a collision was inevitable,
jumped from the break-van, and called out " Pas-
sengers, jump for your lives." Those who heard his
call—and indeed many who did not, for panic
spread itself with wonderful celerity—instantly
made most frantic efforts to get out of the carriages,
and a few succeeded and got on the platform in
safety, but the train came on and ran into the break
van of ;the first train, smashing it to atoms, and
throwing over and utterly destroying and breaking
into spinters the carriage which was next to it. A
composite carriage which was next to this was also
thrown over and knocked to pieces. The first part
of the train recoiled and broke the coupling chains
and the train went on some 100 yards or so, and
then stepped. The second train also stopped, the
engine having been thrown off the line by the col-
lision, but it did not turn over, and it appears was
not materially injured, nor was any damage done
to the approaching train, nor were any of the pas-
sengers in it severely injured. But this was far
from being the case with the unfortunate passen-
gers in the first train. Their screams were terrific.
As soon as the trains were at a standstill or before,
all who were not disabled from so doing were rush-
ing out of the carriages with all the haste they
could make. To add to the confusion the station
was in total darkness, the lamps, as I have stated,
having been, with one exception, all put out some
bttioemetoehmebeefore. Some of the passengers had blood
streaming down their faces, some of the women
had their bonnets in their hands and their babes in
their arms, and all except those who had been
prostrated by the injuries they had received, were
oaprrxto
hicoeuuirrsel
procured
aae rnohdyn. dd tor
lamp,. a
itsjecr
aht whatan:dnthep ohadstation-
master, ed
looking
end of the train, and found that three per-
sons were laid on the road, wedged under portions of
of the carriages. It was impossible to extricate
them at the moment, but with as much despatch as
could be used a screw jack was obtained, and several
of the uninjured passengers set to work vigorously,
and used their utmost efforts to extricate them.
Three quarters of an hour elapsed before it was
done. Thomas Stinson, a man from 40 and 50 years
of age, a carrier. residing at Whitwich, was found
to be dead. Another, Mr. Harrison, at Whitwich,
had his arm broken ; and a third, had like-
wise sustained a severe injury to one eye. In the
meanwhile a large bonfire was kindled with the
debris of the broken carriages, in order to give
light, and the station-master lighted the lamps up,
opened the office, and directed some of the passen-
gers to go into the town, and get people to come to
assist, and to bring as many medical men as they
could find. At first, indeed, the policeman on duty
mistook them for a number of drunken people, for
they were naturally in an excited state, and he
went to the police station for assistance, but Mr.
Iliff, the superintendent of the county constabulary,
soon ascertained the real state of things, and he
hastened to the railway station. Mr. Ody, Mr.
Heygate, and Mr. Francis, surgeons, and Mr. Gal-
loway, the assistant to the latter gentleman, who
had been aroused, were also quickly on the spot,
and great numbers of the inhabitants hastened to
render assistance, taking with them water cans,
glasses, sponges, linen, and other things which they
thought might be useful to dress the wounds
and assuage the sufferings of those who were in-
jured. Mr. Briswell, upholsterer, took up his fur-
niture van ; Mr.
i Money, the 'Midland superinten-
dent, who lives n the town, also hurried to the
station, and gave directions that he should be fol-
ploawneyd. byt
Onarriving
theo h
and dray belonging to the com-
at the station he tele-
graphedLoeaiec Leicester for medical and other
assistance, and also to prevent any other
trains coming up in that direction. In the mean-
while, the booking-offices and Mr. Rich's
house were converted into an hospital, and were

filled with patients, who were furnished with such
refreshments as his establishment furnished.

About two o'clock from 40 to 50 of the passengers
whose injuries did not prevent them being re-
moved were sent on to Leicester, and they were all
attended to at the station by Drs. Lankester, Bol-
ton, Jackson, and Moore. Twenty-three others,
whose injuries were of too severe a character to
permit of their being sent further away, were car-
ried to hotels in Market Harborough.
By this time a number of the passengers who
had escaped injury had found their way to Market
Harborough, and had roused the innkeepers there,
for the purpose of obtaining refreshments. Many of
them were much frightened, and they hired every
available horse and vehicle in the place to convey
them to their homes, rather than go in the train.
Some 200 started for their homes in this manner.
The remainder were despatched by train, and by
five o'clock the line was clear, and the station re-
sumed its wonted appearance.
The following is a list of the persons injured :
Thomas Stinson, of Whitwich, dead
Stinson, his brother, legs injured
Thomas Price, of Cos.lville, broken leg, and otherwise
seriously injured _ _ _

Mrs. Price, his wife, contused head and face, and other-
wise seriously injured
Mr. Morley, jun., draper, Leicester, both legs much in-
jured, and Mrs. Morley also seriously injured and unable to
proceed

Mr. West, of Whittich, internally injured and bruised.
Lies in a very precarious state
Mr. Newbury, of Whittich, chest stove in, ribs broken,
and jaw broken, not expected to recover
Mr. Braddoch, of Coalville, collar-bone and ankle broken
and otherwise injured
Sherwin, labourer, of Market Bosworth, arm broken,
since amputated, and a severe injury to one eye.
Mr. J. Fourace, of Barton in the Beans, internally in-
jured ; is in a precarious state
Benjamin Hughes, of Coalville, collar-bone broken
Wm. Harrison, of Whittich, arm broken, and otherwise
severely injured
Cornelius Harrison, his son, cut on the head
Mr. Canhan, of Coalville, head and face severely cut and
otherwise fearfully injured
Mrs. Canhan, shock to system
Rev. W. Woods, New Walk, Leicester, concussion
Mr. Morley, jun., indiarubber manufacturer, Leicester,
laceration and contusions
John Bagshaw, 53, House-street, Leicester, bruised eye
Mrs, C. Cox, 13, St. Martin's, Leicester, cut across eyes
John Riley, Church Gresley, bruised
Thomas Barnett, Station-street, Burton, shock of the
system • _ _ _

Mrs. Barnett, wife of the above, cut face
Henry Coggins, Station-street, Burton, injury to knee
Richard Hardy, 91, Station-street, Burton, cut brow
Samuel Corlton, Burton Mill, bruised face
Thomas Corlton, Burton Mill, cut knee
Thomas Knighton, Church Gresley, bruised eye and in-
jury of the head
Mrs. Blood, Bass' Laws Mills, Burton, forehead cut and
injured knee
Sarah Jackson, Bardon, bruised face
Richard Clarke, Carlton Bosforth, system shaken
Thomas Fell, Park-street, Burton, injury to knee
Charles Halley, enginewright, Greeley, cut forehead
W. Ellsley, draper, Whitwick, injury to the eye
Mrs. Newbury, Hugglescote, bruised face
James Guttridge, Coalville, bruised face
Thomas Freckleton, Ravenstone-fields, Coalville, injury
to foot

Ezra Smith, spinner, Friar's-causeway, Leicester, bruise
over eye
Mrs. M•Nuity, Ashby, bruised knee
Wm. Chambers, Lichfield-street, Burton, bruise of leg
Charles Walker, New Hall, near Burton, bruise of thigh
W. Dounce, plumber, Desford, bruise of forehead
Jane Chapman, Church-street, Burton, bruise on back
of the head
Mrs. Ford, Albert •place, Burton, wound of eyebrow
Miss Gilbert, Evington, concussion
John Braddick, Coalville, collar-bone broken
Mrs. King, Mill-lane, Ashby, bruised eye, and complains
of injury to the side
Mr. Oakes, 10, Humberstone-gate, Leicester, cut across
the forehead
Mr. Oakden, land agent, Tudby Castle, injury to back
part of head
Mr. Stephen Lee, Gray Inn, Ashfordby, cut on top of
head

Thos. Hotty, Bell-lane, Barton-gate, bruised face
Maria Robinson, Swadlincote, shoulder and eye injured
TL,mton, hurt fn the

mouth

Mary Anne Halliday and Sarah Moore, Victoria Inn,
Coalville, bruised knees
Cmiatt, of Burton-upon-Trentlihurt about head and

Bailey, of Ibstock, internal injuries, chest and ribs
crushed in

Some of the passengers seem to have had miracu-
lous escapes. One stated that he was looking out
of the window and suddenly felt himself lifted up,
and that spreading his arms he alighted on the
platform unhurt. Another said he found himself
on the platform, but had no notion how he got there,
but on looking at the carriage he had been in he
found the top off, and he then lifted his wife out.

The primary cause of the accident seems to have
been the starting of the two trains within so short
a time of each other, but a subsidiary cause is the
peculiarity which attaches to the Market Har-
borough station. This station, as I have already
mentioned, is a joint station of the London and
North-Western and the Midland Companies The
Midland line runs into the North-Western line at
Market Harborough, and the line for about three-
quarters of a mile from that place northwards is
in fact part of the London and North-Western
line. The station at Market Harborough is en-
tirely under the control of the London and North-
Western Company, and the signal and pointemen and
other officers are their servants, the Midland having
there only a superintendent of the traffic, who has
no control over the business of the station. The
blame rests between the engine-driver of the second
train, who is in the employ of the Midland Com-
pany, and the signal-man, who is in the employ of
the London and North-Western. On behalf of the
latter, it is alleged that the signals were displayed
to indicate danger, and that if the engine-driver
had attended to these signals no collision could
have occurred. In reference to the signal we should
explain that there is a large signal-post at the Mar-
ket Harborough-station, and about a third of a mile
southwards there is what is termed an auxiliary
signal, which is worked by the man at the main
signal-post. The signal-man, whose name is Hag-
gar, and who is represented to be a steady man,
and who has been in the service of the company for
several years, maintains that when the first train
came in he put on the red light, which indicates
danger, both on the main signal-post and on the
auxiliary signal-post. On the other hand, the
engine-driver, who is likewise highly spoken of,
and who certainly seems to have been on the look-
out during the journey, avers that the light at the
auxiliary signal-post was white, indicating that
a_ltnlitnilere last night,
the line was clear. It is also alleged that when he
saw the white light, which he could do at some dis-
tance before he approached it, he put on steam, so
that when he arrived at the signal-post the train
was in full swing ; that he then saw the danger
signal at the station, and immediately reversed his
engine, and applied his break, and signatraoilalnesbdceeeyt,.cootie
guard to apply his break, but the road being on an
incline, he was unable to stop the train, but that be
of that,
e
had reduced the speed to some four or fis.vteattnioini.etsac.:
hour when the collision took place. The twos lu
A
It
ne:shge line
night
signalsihgeht one
it arei
is
n at
ot direct
for mv
inwhenicths iassthteo
is a point on which there will probably0 der to ascer-
flicting evidence at the inquest.
v the auxiliary
be
aei np
perceived,
ewi
rheadt, distance
slke
walked
the
osignal
h
and found that I could see it from
TnyhoPmas Stinsoninat the Rail-
inquestsignal post and fro,m,
tifa
is there on a curve, and t
as rs
GO:
rne
en
or
dnoe
buts nno tFsouthward
e
the
coroner for the coupcommenced an
on the bc'cifhe only evidence
° f:01; Leicester
taken was
.for
way Tavern,
brdentifying the bod
the purpose of in- uries sustained y, and proving
that he died from .1 ned by the collision,
• 4uest was then adjourned until Thursday,
and the in hall Market Harborough.
•at the Town- , tnor,thewo ward

The Rev. W. Woods, of Leicester, whose name

PRICE..... ....4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

is mentioned above as being one orthe injured pas-
sengers, has addressed the following letter to the
Leicester Mercury :
" Sir,--I was a passenger by the excursion train
advertised to leave London on its return to Leices-
ter at half-past seven last evening. On reaching
the station, ten minutes before the time of starting,
I found there were two trains about to leave from
opposite sides of the same platform, which I take to
be some twelve feet in depth—one for Leicester, the
other for Burton, via Leicester. At that time Each
of the Leicester carriages was quite full, and there
were then 50 to 60 persons waiting for seats. the
number continued to increase. After a delay of
nearly ten minutes, and when it was time to start,
additional carriages, without light (as, indeed, were
many others), were attached to the train. I, with
my family, took seats in the compartment nearest
the engine of the second carriage from it..

" The Burton train left as near as I can recollect
at twenty-five or twenty-six minutes to eight. We
left the station about six minutes afterwards. We
had scarcely passed through the tunnel when cur
speed was slackened, and the passenger who sat
nearest the window, on looking out, said he JAW
the Burton train before us. Several times during
our journey from London to Hitchin it was asserted
that the Burton train was still in sight. On ap-
proaching Hitchin, and again at Bedford, I locked
out for myself, and became so sensible of our danger
that I scarcely resumed my seat, but continues my
occasional watchings. We had flat come at, an un-
usually fast speed, rut" that speeft, vatiti -at
different points. On approaching Harborough
I noticed that the break was on, and scattering its
fire—the whistle sounded, and the speed evidently
slackened. Presently we had that peculiar note
given on the approach of imminent danger. Tak-
ing my child from its mother, I cried out, " There
is a concussion coming, take care." Instantly we
felt the shock. On somewhat recovering I opened
the door, and at our feet lay the wounded and the
dying. There was some little confusion at first,
owing to the darkness. There was no lack of will-
ing hands, but no one knew the extent of the catas-
trophe, or the danger yet to be incurred. A few
minutes only had passed, when, from the material
of the wrecked train, blazing fires were kindled,
and :a scene of appalling horror exhibited itself.
The wounded and the dying were removed. There
were to be seen those who themselves had suffered
indifferent as to their own wounds, lending willing
aid to those more injured than themselves, and those
from whom the life blood was ebbing were seen
patiently waiting till help could be afforded. You
will have heard the result. It was not until one
personal friend had been killed, and a second so
much disfigured as scarcely to be recognised, and a
third, himself injured, mourning a dead brother,
that I left the outside to aid in consoling the suf-
fering ones. After waiting for two hours in the
darkness (for most if not all the lamps had been put
out by the concussion) there was no undue haste in
filling the carriages which came to bear us home;
nor did any one complain of having to wait two
hours more, in a cold drizzling atmosphere, nor do I
think any one would have complained if they had
been expected to wait till morning, had they been
told so. :But when four hours had elapsed, and the
feverish excitement had somewhat cooled, men began
to think of their wives, mothers of their children at
home, and very eager were the inquiries to the
driver of the pilot train for information, but neither
he nor any of the officials could or would give in-
formation. It was then, and not till then, that we
felt our feelings were being trifled with; and after
waiting four hours and forty minutes in Harborough,
on our arriving in Leicester we were not suffered to
come in till nearly ten minutes had elapsed. No one
can blame the authorities for the exercise of caution,
but for ticket collectors to be found haggling about
a ticket lost amid such excitement, detaining from
300 to 400 persons, wh'ae friends were in fearful
suspense, was indeed teo bad.
My impression—l way say my belief—is that the
accident was e_.-!,_sp.d lair advertising two trains bass-
zug tnrough the same district to start back at the
same time. If such a large train had not been anti-
cipated when advertised, yet as the number of pas-
sengers who went was known, a fair idea could be
formed of the numbers likely to return, and a bill at
King's-cross station, postponing one division for
half an hour, and directing it to start from another
platform, might have prevented the accident. Again,
when a number of persons, such as there were last
night, are waiting to take their places, it seems to
me that to keep them waiting till the last minute is
to endanger life and limb. To send carriages on a
night journey of 130 miles without light not only
tended to produce inconvenience, but is unworthy
of the Midland Company.—l am, sir, your obedient
servant, WILLIAM WOODS.
74, New-walk, Leicester.