The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-24 00:00:00

MANCHESTER AND LEEDS.

Victoria Station, Sept. 14.
Your note on the subject of the recent accident
near this station has been received. In the present
case I cannot, I think, do better than inclose the fol-
lowing paragraph from the Guardian, which contains
the substance of the coroner's inquest :—" On the 4th
inst. a fatality occurred on the Manchester and Leeds
Railway, near the Hunt's Bank station, to a porter
in the service of the company, named Samuel Mil-
lington. It appears that when the six o'clock passenger
train started the deceased was standing on the foot-
board of the second carriage, on the near side; and
after the train had proceeded about 300 yards he
jumped off, but unfortunately fell, both his legs lying
across the rail on that side. The near wheels of five
carriages passed over his thighs, fracturing them
severely, and he died from the effects of the injuries
about two hours afterwards. On Friday, the 6th inst.,
Mr. Chapman held an inquest on the body of the
deceased at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, when it
was stated that he had been frequently cautioned
against standing on the foot-boards after the trains
had started, and that he was liable to be discharged
for disobeying such order. A verdict of `accidental
death' was returned." In addition I have only to
say that every precaution is used to prevent the ser-
vants of the company and others from recklessly
endangering their lives by such very imprudent and
totally unnecessary exposure.
GEORGE HALL, Chief Inspector.
MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM.

Manchester, Sept. 16.

I am directed to hand you the following particulars
of the accident on this line at Alderley Edge. On Mon-
day the 9th inst. there was a cheap trip from Manches-
ter to Alderley Edge and back. About half-past 10 in
the morning a train was dispatched from Manchester,
which, in consequence of the number being so large
upwards of 2,000, consisted principally of box wag-
gons, opening behind. On arriving at Alderley, the
fore part of the train being required to go forward,
the carriages were unshackled, and directly after an
order given for that part of the train to proceed for-
ward. After the usual signal by the engine whistle
had been twice given, the train started, when it was
found that some person, without any authority, had
reshackled the train, in consequence of which a
woman, of the name of Mary Bealey, who was in the
act of getting out of the waggon, was thrown down
under the wheel, which passed over the lower part of
her head. An inquest was held on the following day,
and a verdict of " accidental death," returned, no
blame being in any manner attached to the servants
of the company.
I beg also to observe that the Directors had taken
great pains to prevent any accident occurring, two of
the chief officers of this Company being in attendance,
and directing the movements of the other servants at
the time of the melancholy accident. With a view,
however, of preventing any accident arising from the
same cause, the Directors have resolved that this de-
scription of vehicle, opening at the end, shall not be
again used in the conveyance of passengers, and are
ordering carriages of a superior description for the
accommodation of parties supporting their cheap
trips. THOMAS FRO G GATT.
—Railway Chronicle.