A Railway Disaster.

Southland Times, Issue 4493, 4 December 1882, Page 2

A Rail way Disaster.

[By Cable.] Melbourne, Dec. 2. A shocking railway accident occurred at 6.30 this evening on the Melbourne ami Hawthorne line. A special train, returning from a land sale at Boxhill, passed Hawthorne station without stopping, and when it had turned the corner of: Richmond Park came into collision with a train from Melbourne to Hawthorne — travelling on the same line of rails at a speed of 20 miles an hour. Tho engine of the Melbourne! train was driven through a first-class carriage next it, which it completely telescoped, the engine penetrating the greater portion of the vehicle, and the second and third carriages of the Hawthorne train were likewise telescoped, the wheels of one carriage resting on the seats of the other. There were many passengers in the train at the time of the collision, of whom 20 to 30 are injured, several very badly, aud the cases of some are deemed hopeless. So far as is at present known, however, none were killed outright. Dec. 3. Particulars received regarding the railway collision last evening show that two carriages in each train were completely smashed up, and the one next the engine of tlie train from Melbourne was driven right through the next carriage. The scene at tlie accident was most distressing, and several of the passengers were only extricated from the wrecked carriages with extreme difficulty. Many of the injured were fearfully cut about the head, and several have broken legs, arms, and ribs, and intcntl and spinal injuries. The total known to be injured is nearly thirty. Nin« of the sufferers are now in the Melbourne Hospital, and several are in Albert Hospital. So far as is known no prominent citizens have been hurt. The acciuS.lt is attributed to the special train from Boxhill passing Hawthorne without stopping to allow the other from Melbourne to cross. There is great excitement in town over the catastrophe and the Melbourne newspaper offices are crowded with people anxious for news. Later. According to the latest information Mr W. Thomas has died from the effects of injuries received, and Mr Ross is in a hopeless state.