The Sun.
London, England, 1851-05-21 00:00:00

N°. 18,302.] LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING SUN, MAY 21, 1851.

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
OFFICUL ACCOUNT.
The engine of the passengQr train which left Derby
for Leeds at 9 5 P.M. on Monday evening, having broken
the pump-rod, near the Clay-cross station, the train
stopped, and the driver having taken off the broken part,
was in the act of starting, when a goods train came sud-
denly upon them and broke the two last carriages. Two
passengers were killed and many others severely wounded.
The inquest was to be held yesterday (Tuesday) at two
o'clock: The following are the names of the sufferers:—
Mr. Meynell, of Tapton—dead.
Mr. Blake, of Sheffield—dead.
Mr. Tennent, of the United States—bruised slightly:
his wife—fractured thigh.
Mr. Allan, of Derby—broken arm.
Mr. Bennett, of Chesterfield—knee and leg injured.
Mr. Broadbent, of Sheffield—bruised.
Mr. Hardcastle, of Sheffield—bruised.
Mr. Ashworth, of Sheffield—bruised.
Mr. Ward, of the United States—head injured.
Mr. Beebe, of the United States—bead injured.
Mr. Blacklock, of Dumfries—head injured and leg
fractured.
Mr. John Todhunter, of Dublin—both legs broken.
Mr. Joshua Todhunter, of Dublin—injury to the
shoulder blade.
Rev. Hathie, of Dublin—ankle and leg severely in-
jured.

was called to the scene of the accident last night, about
a quarter past eleven o'clock. A short distance this side
of the Clay-cross tunnel I saw the body of Mr. Meynell,
which was pointed out to me by one of the porters. The
body was lying on the embankment on the right side of
the line. He was quite dead. I have since examined
his body, and find extensive effusion of blood from both
ears, considerable ecchymosis and discolouration of the
shoulders, extending to the loins, and very severe com-
pound fractures of both legs, that of the right extending
to the knee-joint. The immediate cause of death was
severe concussion of the brain. From the position and
appearance of the body he had pitched upon his head.
I saw Mr. Blake near where the accident occurred. lie
was quite conscious, but had no power of moving the '
lower part of his body or legs! he was very much ex-
hausted and depressed, and complained of injury to the
spine. We had him removed into a van, but he died on
his way to Chesterfield. The immediate cause of his
death was injury to the brain.
By one of tbejury—l cannot say accurately how far
the accid3rit occurred from the Clay-cross station, but I
should think the bodies were about 100 yards from the
station. Mr. Blake was quite sensible, and gave rational
answers to the questions I asked.
Mr. James Blake, of Sheffield, identified the body of
his brother, Mr. John Blake, who, he stated, was 34
they eartimefeof
age,thanedacsvcaidsernet.turning home from a journey at

Mr. Fox, of Chesterfield.
Mrs. Meynell, slightly bruised on the head.
CLAY-CROSS, TUESDAY MORNING.
We regret to state that a most fearful accident oc-
curred at this place last night, by which the lives of two
gentlemen have been sacrificed, and many other persons
seriously injured. From personal inquiries made on
the spot, and also from information obtained from Mr.
Smith, one of the directors, and Mr. Mills, we have
learnt the following particulars, which may be relied
upon as correct:—
It appears that the express train, which starts from
London at 5 rat., leaves Derby at 9 5, P.M. About
five minutes after the express left the Derby station it
was followed by a goods train. The former pursued its
rapid course until it had passed the Clay-cross tunnel,
when, in consequence of the engine becoming disabled,
it was brought to a stand. Meanwhile, the goods train
continued its course, and about ten minutes after the ex-
press train had passed the Clay-cross station it followed
at a speed of about twenty miles an hour, and directly
afterwards ran with tremendous force into the passenger
train, then stationary. A scene of indescribable confu-
sion ensued, for amidst the crashing of the carriages and
the shrill whistle of the locomotives, rose the piercing
cry of the affrighted passengers. As soon as possible
attention was directed to the sufferers. Mr. J. Meynell,
of Tapton-grove, near Chesterfield—an active and intel-
ligent magistrate, whose death will be greatly felt—and
Mr. J. Blake, of the firm of Blake and Parkin, mer-
chants, Sheffield, were found to have received fatal inju-
ries; and most of the passengers were or more less se-
riously injured.
The accident was immediately telegraphed to Derby,
and about midnight several of the company's officials
arrived on the spot. Those of the passengers whose
bruises were not of a very serious character, were, after
a few hours' delay, forwarded to their respective desti-
nations; but those whose injuries were more extensive
and dangerous were accommodated at the station and in
the immediate vicinity. The catastrophe soon became
known in the neighbourhood, and the local surgeons,
with others from Derby, to the number of seven or eight,
attended and rendered valuable assistance in alleviating
the pain of the injured passengers.
The following is a correct list of the sufferers, toge-
ther with the nature and extent of their injuries:—
Mr. John Meynell, of Tapton-grove, near Chester-
field, one of the magistrates for the county of Derby—
dead. _ _

No other evidence was called to-day, and the inquiry
was adjourned to Thursday next.

A SECOND COLLISION ON THE MIDLAND

LINE.

DERBY, TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
To-day a second collisiorr took place on the Midlands
line, at the Long Eaton junction. A passenger train
from Nottingham to Codnor Park came into collision
with a coal train at the junction, owing to inatten-
tion to the signals. The engines were doubled up, but
fortunately the passengers escaped with a few bruises
only.

THE LATE FATAL CONFLAGRATION.

Last evening (Tuesday) Mr. W. Payne, the City co-
roner, held an inquest in the Coal-Exchange Tavern,
St. Mary-at-Hill, Lower Thames-street. respecting the
deaths of Richard Harvey, aged 36, Elizabeth Gray,
aged 52, Abraham Clark, aged 22, and George Hare,
aged 30, the four unfortunate persons who perished in
the fire which occurred on Sunday morning last in the
Rose and Crown Tavern, Love-lane. Some particulars
of this distressing affair have already appeared in this
journal on Monday and Tuesday last.
The jury having been sworn, they proceeded, in com-
pany with the Coroner, to the dead-house, to view the
bodies, and upon their return to the inquest-room the
following evidence was adduced:—
Police-constable Trinder, No. 566 of the City force,
said that on Sunday morning last, while passing the
Rose and Crown, he perceived a light shining through
the bar windows; at first he imagined that some one was
up, but, upon listening, he could not hear any person
moving about. Having left for about a minute he re-
turned, and smelt something burning; he then knocked
with his truncheon at the street-door, sprang his rattle,
and rang the bell. The sergeant having arrived, another
policeman went for the escapes and engines, and witness
went for the turncock. Upon his return he found the
fire raging furiously in the bar. The escapes soon ar-
rived, but the conductors could not use them on account
of the flames coming from the second-floor window at
the time.
By a juror—He concluded that there must have been
some persons in the house, but, notwithstanding his re-
peated knocking at the door, he never saw any one at
the windows.

Samuel Overall, of Lower Thames-street, said that
Love-lane was not a public carriage-way. Posts were
placed at each end, which prevented the fire-escapes
from passing either up or down the court. The back
part of his house was exactly opposite the Rose and
Crown, end when he awoke he was nearly suffocated.
Having dressed himself; he ran to Watling-street for the
engines. He returned, but saw nothing of any of the
persons in the house.
Joel King said he lived at the White Hart, Botolph-
lane, and was awoke by cries of "Murder," and the
cracking of glass. Shortly afterwards he hoard cries of
" Fire," apparently proceeding from the Rose and Crown.
Upon looking towards the houses in Love-lane, he per-
ceived smoke coming from the taproom, and the servant
girl leaning, as well as she was able, against the wall of
her master's house. He went into the taproom, and
pulled the girl through a broken pane of glass. She then
told him there were other persons in the house, but he
was unable to get to them.
James Bradley, sab-engineer, attached to the brigade
in Jeffreys-square, said that he was called to the
fire about halt-past two'clock on Sunday morning. He
attended immediately with the engine, and found the
house in flames Having worked for nearly two hours,
the fire was extinguished, when, on hearing that some
persons were in the place, he went in, and found a woman
in the second floor quite dead, and in the third floor three
other persons were discovered, also dead. They were
all lying on their faces. The potman was lying on the
bed, and the lodger was lying near the window. He
could not tell how the fire began.
Mr. Fogo, the foreman of the A district of the fire
brigade, confirmed the evidence of Bradley, and said
that the fire must have commenced near the staircase,
and he should imagine about the first floor. Ho did not
smell any escape of gas, but he sent to the company and
had it cut off from the main in the street after the fire
was extinguished.

Mr. John Blake, of the firm of Blake and Parkin,
railway spring, saw, file, and steel manufacturers,
Meadow Works, Sheffield—dead.
Mr. John Todhunter, Dublin—both legs broken.
Mr. Joshua Todhunter, Dublin (brother of the above)
—collar bone fractured.
Mrs. Tennant, of Charlestown, United States—frac-
ture of the thigh bone.
Mr. Tennant (husband of the above)— seriously
bruised.

Mr. Hallam, of Derby—broken arm.
Mr. E. Broadbent, of Barrack-tavern, Sheffield—
bruised.
Mr. Horncastle, of the Royal Oak, Pond-street, Shef-
field—bruised.
Mr. Ashforth, Weldon-streot, Sheffield—bruised.
Mr. Ward, of Boston, United States—bruised.
Mr. Beebe, of Boston, United States—braised.
Mr. Blacklock, of Dumfries, fractured ankle.
The [tev. W. Ather, of Dublin, both legs injured. •
James Ainsworth, a porter, in the employ of the
company, and who was in the guard's break of the
express trai❑ at the time of the accident—seriously in-
jured.
The officials of the company are extremely reluctant
to give any information as to the cause of this unfortu-
nate affair, but it is alleged by the passengers to have
arisen in consequence of the guard of the express train
having neglected to signal the accident to the approach-
ing goods train.
The inquest is appointed to be held to-day.

Henry ifitchener, one of the conductors of the Royal
Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, arrived from
the Royal Exchange station with the escape, and got
the small ladders belonging to the machine to the house,
but the building was then in a regular blaze. He there-
fore knew that the escape would be useless. He, how-
ever, carried the small laddder to the opposite house,
but, owing to the progress made by the flames, it was
perfectly useless.
A juror said that the escapeman had done all he pos-
sibly could, but from the fact of the fire having ex-
tended so rapidly, his services were of no avail.

Mr. Joseph ilarvey, of Poplar, identified the bodies
of Mrs. Gray and Richard Harvey. He was, however,
unable to throw the least light upon the cause of the
fire.

A long discussion ensued as to the time the escape was
called, svhen

Mr. Sampson Lowe, the Secretary of the Royal So-
ciety, suggested that in all cases of fire the escapes should
be called first, as the loss of a few minutes might involve
the destruction of many lives.
Mr. James Mear, of 16, Love-lane, said that he was
awoke by his son on the morning of Sunday last. He
then hoard dreadful cries in the Rose and Crown. Be-
fore, however, be had time to get down the screaming
had ceased. He heard the noise some time before the
rattle was sprung.
Thomas Cannon, a neighbour, proved hearing cries for
help proceeding from the house, and added that his wife
saw the hands of one of the men extended out of win-
dow, but ho soon disappeared.
Mr. Clark, a relative of the unfortunate deceased of
the same name, said that he was at the house at twelve
o'clock on Saturday night, and the place was closed as
be left. There was no appearance of fire in the pro-
mises at that time.

Several jurors said that the deceased had been in pos-
session of the premises only about 18 months, and they
were bound to say the house had been during that time
most respectably managed.
The CORONER at this stage of the proceedings sug-
gested, that as the only person living who was in the
house at the time of the tire was still an inmate of Guy's
Hospital, and as there was every probability of her being
able to appear in the course of a few days, it would be
advisable to adjourn the further inquiry to such a period
as to allow her to attend.
The inquiry was accordingly adjourned to the 2d a
June next.

HORRIBLE OCCURENCE ON THE
NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.
Yesterday afternoon, shortly after one o'clock, a most
painful degree of excitement pervaded the vicinity of the
terminus of the London and North-Western Railway by
a report that a gentleman had a few minutes before deli-
berately committed suicide by placing his neck across
the rails a short distance up the line at the time when
the Liverpool day mail was coming down the incline from
Camden station into the terminus. Inquiry proved that
the statement was, unfortunately, too true, and the fol.,
lowing are the authentic particulars:—Shortly after one
o'clock a lady named Norton, residing at No. 2, Gothic-,
cottages, Park-village, Regent's-park, was standing on
the Stanhope-street or No. 6 bridge, which crosses the
railway near Mornington-crescent, looking at the Liver-.
pool portion of the day mail coming in down the incline,
when she suddenly observed an elderly gentleman
cross from the up line and deliberately lay his
neck across the down rail on which the incoming
train was approaching, and which instantly passed
over him. The screams of the lady, who fell faint-
ing, instantly brought several persons to the spot.,
and the body was then seen from the bridge decapi-1
tated, and the head lying about two feet away from it, in
the centre of the line, between the rails. The distance
of this spot being scarcely a quarter of a mile from the!
Euston terminus, not more than two or three minutes
had elapsed before the railway authorities of the station
were informed of what had happened by the guard of
the Liverpool mail, who saw the unfortunate man crossi
from the up line and commit the act at the same mo-
ment as the lady on the bridge, but the train was too
close to render either the application of breaks or any
other means effectual in stopping its progress. Imme-
diately on the receipt of the information, Inspector
Sibsey, of the railway police, proceeded up the line,
and the decapitated body was found as described. The
unfortunate gentleman's cloak was torn off and carried
by the wheels of the train, which consisted of twelve
carriages, some distance, and the hat of the deceased
was several yards from the body. On searching the
pockets of the unfortunate man, a receipt for
the payment of poor-rates for 11, 18s. from
Mr. Murphy, the collector of the northern division
of St. Pancras, was found in the name of Mr. Young.
Applications to Mr. Murphy immediately led to the
identity of the unfortunate gentleman, who turns out to
be Mr. James Young. of 35, Augustus-street, Regent's-
park, a gentleman of fortune, and possessing a large

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