The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1885-08-22 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

RETURN OF RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.  From a return issued a few days ago it appears Lhat tho number of persons killed on railways in the United Kingdom in the course of public traffic during the six months ending the 30th of June, 1885, as reported to the Board of Trade, was 435, and the number of injured 1532. But the total number of personal accidents reported to the Board of Trade by the several railway companies during the six months was 456 persons killed and 3309 injured. During the six months there were reported 16 collisions between passenger trains or parts of passenger trains, by which 34 passengers and 7 servants were injured; 18 collisions between passenger- trains and goods or mineral trains, &c., by which 5 passengers and 1 servant were killed, and 60 passengers and 7 servants were injured; 8 collisions between goods trains or parts of goods trains, by which one servant was killed, and 3 cattle-drovers and 4 servants were injured; 28 cases of passenger trains or parts of passenger trains leaving the rails, by which 3 passengers were injured; 7 eases of goods trains or parts of goods trains leaving the rails, by which 2 servants were killed and one was injured; 3 cases of trains travelling in the wrong direction through points, by which 3 passengers and one servant were injured; 5 eases of trains running int) stations or sidings at too high a speed, by which 65 passengers were injured; 61 cases of trains running over cattle or other obstructions on the line, involving injury to one servant ; 2 cases of the failure of machinery, springs, &c., of engines, by which 7 passengers and 2 servants were injured; and 4 failures of couplings, involving injury to 2 servants. The following cases were also reported, but they involved no personal injury: 19 cases of trains running through gates at level crossings; 435 failures of tyres; 169 failures of axles; 112 broken rails; 4 fires in trains. Six persons were killed and 17 injured by falling between carriages and platforms, 5 killed and 8 injured when getting into, and 1 killed and 9 injured when alighting from trains; 6 were k illed and 199 injured by fallinpon to platforms, ballast, &c., 1 killed and 17 injured when getting into, and Skilled and 182 injured when alighting from trains; 12 were killed and 7 injured while passing over the line at stations; 33 were injured by the closing of carriage doors; 2 were killed and 9 injured by falling out of carriages during the travelling of trains; 9 were killed and 30 injured from other causes. Thirty persons were killed and 7 injured whilst passing over railways at level crossings, 114 persons were killed and 50 injured when trespassing on the railways, and 19 persons committed suicide on railways. Among the accidents to servants of the companies we find that 16 were killed and 944 injured while coupling or uncoupling vehicles; 6 were killed and 20 injured by falling off engines and during the travelling of trains; 9 were killed and 51 injured while getting on or off engines and vans during the travelling of trains; 45 were killed and 65 injured while working on the railway; and 37 were killed and 50 injured while walking on or crossing the line on duty.