The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-06 00:00:00

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

On Monday afternoon a serious accident occurred
on the Clydesdale branch of Caledonian Railway,
between Motherwell and Uddingston Bridge, to the
passenger train due at Glasgow at 3.20 p.m., result-
ing in serious, if not fatal, injury to several
passengers, besides causing considerable damage to
railway stock and private property. It appears
that a large caravan belonging to the proprietor of
Hamilton's Diorama Exhibition, en route from Air-
drie to Greenock, was being conveyed with the
passenger train leaving Motherwell at 2.45. The
train reached Uddingston station, where a number
of passengers were taken up. The usual signal
having been given the train proceeded ; but in
consequence of suspected danger, and the steep in-
cline which is on this part of the line, it was going
very slow, when the top of Mr. Hamilton's caravan
came into contact with the bridge on the turnpike li
-
road between Powburn and Uddingston, and
about 200 yards from the railway-station.
Such .was the force with which the van
struck the stonework that it was whirled
off the truck and crushed through the roof of a
third-class carriage with such tremendous force that
the carriage was broken into splinters, and the
pieces scattered over the line. A number of the
passengers were buried below the ruins, while others
escaped almost miraculously. The utmost alarm
and excitement ensued. So soon as the nature of
the accident became known, a large number of men
hastened to the spot, and had the passengers extri-
cated from their perilious position without delay,
and. conveyed to houses in the neighbourhood,
where the worst cases were promptly attended by
Drs. Golf, Stewart, and other medical gentlemen
from Bothwell. A large squad of railway work-
men were in a short time on the ground, and by
their efforts the line was soon cleared, so that the
ordinary traffic was but little interrupted. Those of
the passengers who were able to resume their
journey were placed in the carriages which re-
mained uninjured, and conveyed to Glasgow.
The following are the names of those most
seriously injured :—Mr. Archibald Thomson, Both-
well, severely bruised on the sides and cut on the
left leg; Mr. R. Patton, commercial traveller,
Whitevale, Glasgow, bruised on right shoulder and
ribs ; Hugh Aitken, miner, Bellshill, bruised se-
verely on left leg and right shoulder ; Robert
Laird, miner, Crossgates, Bellshill, severe concus-
sion of whole body, injuries considered dangerous.
Another gentleman supposed to be named Smith,
was injured severely about the feet, but was re-
moved to Glasgow before his address could be
ascertained. On Wednesday the authorities were
actively engaged investigating the circumstances of
the accident. The engine-driver and guard state
that they were doubtful of the caravan clearing the
bridges along the line, and consequentlyptrhoeceterdaeind
with the utmost caution ; and as soon as
gave a jerk they applied the breaks, or otherwise it
is probable the accident would have been
lattended
e
with even more disastrous results.
done to railway stock is said to amount to £lOO,
while Mr. Hamilton's caravan, alon4goo7 stsmithc iotscoann.-
tents, is, we believe, estimated at i

News from Western Australia states that the
notorious Robson has obtained a ticket of leave, and has
left that colony.