Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-20
VOL. 5.-.N0. 900.
DAILY VIRGlNIAN.

From the London 11me3 June 3oth)
FRlauTFuL ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH kENT
RAILWAY. The brief announcement which ""
were enabled to make in yesterdays impress
sion oi the dreadful accident that occurred on
Sunday might on the North Kent Railway has
been more than verified by tho facts which have
been since nscertnned.
The terrible collision which has caused 30 great
loss of life as that of eleven persons.and which
has inflicted injuries more or less serious on up
wards of thirty others. occurred few minutes
before eleven o'clock on Sunday night between
the Baokheaih and Lewishom stations.
The Sunday traffic on the North Kent hallway
il very heavy aud for tho necessary accommo-
,lntions of persons returning from Gravosend and
other places of holiday resort it is usual to run
two late trains at short intervals-at y ID 4. NJ.
and . 30 Z. M.-from Strood TO London rms
limo of railway il worked ON Tyer's electric sig
nnl system. the simple explanation of which is.
TINT the s,ntion. master at ono station must not
allow n coming train To pass before tho last de-
parted train has been teegrnphed clear OF the
next station. The system properly carried out,
would prevent tho possibility of accident
1t appears that the9. Is train from Strood
left ut tho time appointed for its departure and
passed through l3laokheath tunnel without any
thing having occurred TO arrest its progress; but
ON nearing tho Iewishnm station, which Is only
ono mile from Blaekhenih tho driver found tho
signals against him, and pulled up tho train just
before coming to thu platform. The signals
were kent on and the second guard was sent back
with his red lamp to prevent tho possibility OF
tho expected 9. 30 T. NJ up train coming upon
them. Several passengers alighted, but tho
large majority; observing tho precautions which
had bcen taken, kept their seats in ianc,ed secu-
rity. until suddenly and without more thnn few
seconds warning, tho .. 30 =. M. train was heard
rushing towards them
H,fore nny movement of tho standing train
could be effected by its own engine driver. the
coming train ran into violent collision with It
The effects WINS perfectly lrightful. Tho engine
of the y 30 +. NJ. train struck tho break van OF
the 6,I5 L. NJ. train with ioroe 80 great that 1t
lifted the ponderons machine oil the rails to
Ievel with tho body of tho next oarrage-an open
third class filled with passengers-along which
it swept, doubling up and crushing to death al
most all tho unhappy occupants ana seriously
iniuring those who escaped with thor lives
For n few moments tho energies OF all tho per.
sons near tho station weIo completely para'yzed
by the horrors of tho scene, but as soon as the
dreadful character of the accident was ascertain
ed, assistance was sent for and tho best means
nj hand were adopted to extrioate the wounded
aud tho dead
Mr.. Ebora tho manager of the Southeastern
Railway, who resides Mt Loo Park. was soon on
tho spot. personally. directing tho exertion OF
larpe number Of laborers and others, VINO hau
been pressed into the service at the moment the
accident occurred. The suiferings OF some OF the
injured persons ARE described to have been most
exorucinting, until death put an end to their
pain One man. who is stated to have been near
Y severed in twain, sustined existence three
hours. Tho medical men Tor miles round were
summoned to tho spot, aud they CAV" all the re-
lief in their power to the GASES, recommending
such IN IL seemed boat 10 be sent on to st. lhom-
as Hospital, aud doing what was neodful for 9TH
ers.