THROWN FROM A TRAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 5

THROWN FROM A TRAIN.

ADVENTURE ON AN EXPRESS

To be flung bodily from a train in motion, after being the victim of a dastardly attack by an unknown fellow passenger, was the terrifying experience that befel a young domestic, near Cam forth in Lancashire. She was found in a half-conscious condition O’l the railway, and it is marvellous, under_ all the circumstances, that she escaped with her life. Her assailant, who is said to have been an ex-militiaman, got clean away, and has hitherto eluded all attempts to capture him. The young woman is Miss Elizabeth Townson, 25, of Tyson > street, Ulverston, who is in service at Chester road, Ohorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Miss Townson, who has been with her present master and mistress for about five years, four of which were spent at Blackburn, was journeying from Manchester to U 1 version in a night express to attend the funeral of her grandmother. Miss Townson travelled alone in a through carriage to Lancaster, where a man, who is said to have been under the influence of drink, entered the compartment. He asked her if he might light a cigarette, and she replied in the affirmative. He next began to pay unwelcome attention to her by sitting alongside her and endeavouring to put his arm around her waist. She resented his misconduct, and tried to reach the communication cord He thereupon pulled her arms down. This happened when the train was about 300 yards south of Oamforth, and was probably travelling ait about 10' miles am hour. After a struggle the ruffian got Mis* Townson on the floor of the carriage and pressed her throat with his thumbs, at the same time placing his fingers over her mouth, with the object of preventing her from crying for assistance. Miss' Townson offered the man her money, or anything she had, to desist, but be continued hij violence, and knelt upon her. This girl’l plucky fight with her assailant, however, proved more than he had bargained for. Moreover, the train was slowing down, so without further ado he opened the door of the compartment, gathered Miss Townson into his arms, and threw her out into the darkness. Fortunately the girl fell on her back across the metals, clear of the moving train. In her half-conscious condition she was some moments in realising her position, and then she cried out. Two railway mem, who had lamps in their hands, heard her cries and ran to her assistance. They helped her into forth Station, where she was given restoratives. Had the _ men’s arrival been postponed a few minutes later Miss Townson would of a certainty have been cut to pieces either by a passing mail train or the moving waggons which were being shunted to the sidings in the vicinity. Meanwhile Miss Townson’s assailant had gone on with the train. When it arrived at Cam forth Station, it is said, he engaged the unsuspecting officials in conversation with consummate coolness. But the inevitable hue and cry reached the station after the find ing of Miss Townson in the six-foot way. The culprit, at the time, was sitting in the Barrow coach, and he at once sprang through' the door of the carriage opposite to the platform, and, making in the direction of the goods yard, disappeared in the darkness towards Silvcrdale. He left behind him a kit bag, the contents of which show, it is_ said, that be is not unknown to the .police, and will afford means of identification. The girl was in a dishevelled, excited condition, but narrated her story coherently, and was able to give the police a description of the man, who has a prominent mole on his forehead. Though he possessed a military kit bag he is not thought to be a soldier, but is described os -an cx-militiaman. With consistent courage Miss Townson continued her journey to Ulverston in the fumess railway train, despite the terrible ordeal ebo had undergone.