The Sun. — 1852-08-25 (London, England)

ANOTHER COLLISION ON THE LANCA SHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAIL WAY.  SUICIDE OF THE POINTSMAN.  A collision occurred on Monday evening, at near half-past nine o'clock, about a mile from the Bolton station on this railway, which ended in the destruction of three third-class carriages and the serious injury of several passengers, though, fortunately, we have not upon this occasion to mention any loss of life, except that of the man to whose neglect ofinstructions the accident was attributable, and he put an end to his own existence. It appears that the 5.30 P.M. train from Liverpool, which was due at Bolton at 7.20 r at., did not arrive until 9.20 rm. It consisted of thirty-six carriages, and was filled with passengers, part for Yorkshire and the rest for Manchester. It was necessary to separate those for Yorkshire from the others, but they were so mixed up that twenty minutes was spent in the work, and while the officials were performing it, a second train from Liverpool—an excursion train of thirty-six carriages—came up, and was detained; next, a luggagetrain from Liverpool to Manchester, then an excursion train from Fleetwood and Blackpool of t wentyfir carriages, and lastly a luggage-train from Liverpool to Bradford, making in all five trains brought up at one time, and reaching from the station to a place known as Bull Field, outside the town, the enormous distance of a mile lying between the head of the first train and the tail of the last. There was a sixth train of luggage a few yards beyond the station (in advance), taking in water, but it was out of the way. From the station the line curves up to and beyond Bull Field, and about three hundred yards from that place there is a signal-post, with a lamp and two red discs, worked by means of a lever and wire, to protect the down or Manchester line. The tail of the last or luggage train was about 130 yards from this signal post on the Bolton side, and the driver of an advancing train would come in sight of it (the train) 15 or 20 yards beyond, before he got to the signal post, so that the distance allowed him for pulling up to save a collision was only 150 yards at the most. It was the duty of the guard of the luggage train, when it came to a stand-still, under such circumstances, to go back, and stop any trains coming up; and it was the duty of the signal-man to put on the red light and discs. Neither of these precautions were taken, and, as a consequence, while the five trains were standing, a sixth from Liverpool and Southport, consisting of sixteen carriages, came up at full speed. The driver, when be got near the signal post, and within 150 yards, saw three red lights, with which the end of the luggage-train was furnished, but he could not then stop his train, and the consequence was that he ran into the one before him at a high speed—the recoil of his own engine drove the carriages back upon each other, and three, all third class, nearly at the front, were smashed, one being driven upon that next to it. The frame-work was uninjured, but the entire back and the right hand corner of the first, and the entire back of the second, and the front with half the flooring of that compartment of the third, were completely driven in ; so effectually, indeed, that it was scarcely possible (except in the case of the floor) to tell where the ends and sides had, joined. It seemed as if the buffers of a preceding carriage had destroyed the front of the first, and that the front of the third had been reared upon the back of the second. There were several persons injured, and the wonder is that, under such peculiar circumstances of destruction of vehicles, no one was killed. Instant assistance was obtained, and the following persons were removed to cottages in the vicinity, where they were attended by medical men : Edward Hindley, residing at 100, Fairfield-street, Manchester.  Margaret Rothwell, of Beswick-row, Millgate, Manche3ter, a severe blow on leg. Miss Graham, going as a servant to Mr. Shaen, of Loyd-street, Manchester, face cut and leg injured. James Howell, of Flexton, much shaken. Miss Yates, of Darcy Lever, much shaken ; sent home in a cab.  Edward Greenhalgb. Alice Greenhalgh, his wife. Richard Greenhalgh, their son, received a severe blow on the chest, and supposed injury of the bladder. Mrs. Allemande, of Gravel-hole, Great Lever, bruised on the leg; sent home in a cab. Mrs. Simpson, of 5, Now Richmond, Pendleton, shaken and bruised. dg e• Mr. Mr. and Mrs. Buffer L , of Seedley Mrs. Butler, two black ees and cut on tbeoface ; Butler, much shaken. Mr. Canane, a friend of Mr. Butler. a special train The last four were sent home in about half-past twelve o'clock, re and those who d next day remained at the place all night were to their respective places ofremesuidnehncehe.ak remove Lb, eanodthaeirl terribly alarmed. Before had seventh excursion persons in the train were very 1:n odf that the a train uendwerres wreck been got out of the way we carriages came up from we th train of forty Fleetwood, and had to be brought up very sharply to avoid a collision: A special nyhtice (printed) had been issued from the be end preparedpointsni en for satihd— se e head office wit reference to the trains on Monday ; and that addresseldto Keep. your signal trains until trey signalmenlighted, and all future special have passed t home ; and keep a good look-cut .for any extra trains, engines, Lk,, of which you may not have received advice. A copy of this notice was found in the cabin of the P°intsman, Leigh Bancroft, and after the accident he admitted that he had read it. lie stated that he had ,  turned his signal light out at a quarter to nine o'clock, and gone home, us his proper to time to leave was half-past eight, and be did not think he would be required any more ; though he must have known that there was at least one train then due, which was above an hour and a half behind its time—the 5.30 train from Liverpool. Of course there was neither cautionlight nor caution-sign-lto warn the driver of the train from Southport. It was at eleven o'clock that he was questioned, and shocking to relate, at about midnight his wife found that he had hung himself with his handkerchief in his pointsman's hut, within a couple of hundred yards of the place where the collision occurred, and that he was quite dead. He has left a widow and five children; he has been in the employ of the compacnany for several years, and was a steady man. What have led to his extraordinary conduct cannot now be ascertained, beyotrnd the doubtful statement he wade to the persons who called him to account.  _____ _ - - THE COUiteritY Ai Aii.N.