ACCIDENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6502, 14 December 1882, Page 3

ACCIDENT.

(From oun Melbourne Correspondent.) December sth.

Another terrible railway accident, not less disastrous in its results than the Jolimont catastrophe of 14 months ago, occurred on Saturday last on on 3of the suburban lines. Two passenger trains travelling on the same line of rails in opposite directions came into collision with such violence that four of the carriages were completely wrecked. Not less than 70 persons were injured—some very severely, and one of the sufferers died before next day. There are others in a very dangerous condition, and it is yet too early to ascertain the full extent of the injuries sustained. The circumstances under which the accident occurred point to criminal negligence. The Hawthorn railway has a double line of rails, but the traffic was being conducted on a single line whilst the other was undergoing repair. On Saturday a special train was despatched to Boxhill, where a land sale was held, and it was this special, on its return journey, which came into collision with the ordinary train to Hawthorn, leaving Melbourne at 6.7 p.m. By the time-table arrangements the special should have been detained at the Hawthorn station until the arrival of the ordinary train. The Btationmaster there, however, with fatal carelessness, disregarded the official instruction, taking for granted that the two trains were to pass each other at Burnley street station, a mile and a-half farther on. The "all right" signal was given to the special as it passed through the Hawthorn station. A collision then became inevitable, for speeding on upon the . same line of rails were the special going towards Melbourne and the ordinary train, coming from it. The drivers of the two trains knew nothing until, rounding a curve, the smoke from the engines became visible. The distance between them was then too short to pull up in time. The brakes were applied and the speed slackened, but not sufficiently to overcome the momentum of the carriages, and the two trains came together with a terrible crash. The engines met front to front, and the first and second carriages of each train were partially telescoped, and were smashed to pieces. Every possible assistance was rendered without delay to the unfortunate victims. The spectacle was a sickening and saddening one. Men, women, and children were among the injured—some insensible, others with broken limbs, and many who had escaped bodily injury dazed by the shock. The list of casualties in the papers is longer than many of those furnished in connection with some of the "battles" of the Egyptian campaign. There seems to bo no doubt that the Hawthorn stationmaster is primarily responsible for the catastrophe, and fie has been suspended; but a strict investigation into the whole management of tho suburban railways will be insisted on. It is a remarkable fact that whilst these lines were in the hands of a private company tho traffic was conducted for years without any serious accident; whilst since they have been taken over by the State there have been two disasters of the first magnitude, others les3 fatal in their results, and several narrow escapes from serious contingencies. An inquest will be held by the Coroner on the body of the man who died from the injuries received, and it is intended that the inquiry shall be a searching one.

Prom the Melbourne papers we extract the following statements made by officials :—

Thomas C. Kitchen, who resides in Carlton, makes the following statement: —l was driving the special train which left IJobson's Bay station at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. My mate was B. Gleeson. We had a heavy .engine with steam brakes, and were drawing six carriages and a van. I slowed down on approaching Hawthorn station, and on reaching it the speed was reduced to about a mile an hour a mere crawl, in fact. I did not stop, however, because according to the instructions on the time-table I was not to do bo. In addition to this, the Btationmaster at Hawthorn held up his arm, thus giving me the "allright " signal; and I received a similar signal from the guard. I was a little surprised at our being sent on from hero without stopping, as I was aware that the down train left Melbourne at seven minutes past (i, but as I had received the "all-right" signals I went on. There are some repairs being effected at tho bridge just before reaching Picnic station, and on nearing it I shut off steam, and went over it 'very slowly. A little' farther on I noticed the smoke of an approaching train. I never dreamt that it was on the same, line of rails. I vras fully aware that traffic on the down line from Melbourne had been stopped, but I was neVer infbVmed of the fact officially. I hteard of it by m'eVo accident.