VICTORIA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1728, 27 May 1862, Page 3

VICTORIA.

SERIOUS AND FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE MEL BOURNE AND SUBURBAN RAILWAY. T ? e S ll , 0^ 0 * acc °unt of a serious accident on the Melbourne and Suburban Railway has been kindly furnished to us (Daily Times, ) by Mr Lawsonj a passenger by the Aldinga. The accident occurred on the morning that the Aldmga left Melbourne: — About 10 a.m. on the Bth instant, as the ordinary tram was leaving the Melboarne Terminus somewhat after time, the express return train from Brighton came into contract with it iust before it reached the double line of rails at the Jolimont Crossing. A fearful concussion took place, by which about 20 persons were seriously wounded— one, Mr. Hayman, importer of jewel"'7*. * a » siDce dead - Mr. MvKechnie, of Flinders-street, had both his legs cut off, and others are in the hospital with legs arms or bodies seriously wounded. The rails being wet at the time, a heavy fall of ram having taken place during the night, and then continuing, the breaks could not be made to act sufficiently to check the speed of either train, although the distance at which each saw the other would, under other circumstances, have been sufficient to accomplish this. The outgoing train was going at full speed in its endeavour to gain the double rails,- and a few more yards would have placed both traios in safety, had it been possible to check the express. So great was the force with which they met that the two engines were completely wrecked, and remained after the accident elevated on end confusedly locked together. The carriages were totally destroyed, and the remains of the entire iraiias may be fittingly designated as a mass of rubbish. So great was the confusion prevailing through out Melbourne for.some time after t the accident that few particulars could be gleaued of a reliable nature. The above, is however, well authenticated.