THE HAWTHORN RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3567, 14 December 1882, Page 4

THE HAWTHORN RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Melbourne papers received by the Rotomabana contain the following particulars of the Hawthorn railway accident :—A shocking accident occurred about a quarter past 6 o'clock on Saturday evening, December 2nd, through two trains that were travelling at rather a rapid pace coming into collisioji at the corner of Richmond Paddock, between Barnby-road and Hawthorn Btations. During the afternoon a land sale was held at Boxhill, on the Lillydale line, and a special train of seven carriages left there on the return journey afc 5.55. The train stopped at Canterbury-wad and Gamberwell, but ■was allowed to paes Hawthorn .without stopping. It proceeded three-quarters of a mile further, when on rounding a curve a Melbourne train of. carriages which left at 6.3 was seen approaching on the same line, the other line being closed for repairs. The drivers did their utmost to slacken epeed, sounding the whistles several times, but a terrific collision ensued, the noise being heard at a great distance, resembling the cracking of tree's. The engines interlocked, that of ; the Melbourne train being driven through a first-class carriage next to it, the roof resting on the engine. This carriage in turn telescoped the next one. Both were completely smashed and the debris scattered on the lines. The couplings between this, and the next carriage broke, the remainder of the train being forced, back several yards. : The carriage next to the Hawthorn engine did not suffer greatly, but the second and third carriages telescoped and were completely destroyed. The ■wheels of the latter rested on the seats of the former, the roof of which fell, crushing the passengers, several of whom were only extricated with difficulty.. A distressing scene resulted. Many of the passengers were brought out cut fearfully on their heads and bleeding profusely. Many, were found to have one or both legs broken ; others their arms; others had fractured ribs and injuries to the spine; and others internal injuries. Aβ soon as possible the wounded were laid on the grass, supported by cushions. Some time elapsed before medical aid arrived; and in the meanwhile the sufferers remained in great agony. Stretchers were prepared, and waggons having been brought the worst cases were taken to the Melbourne Hospital, and others to the Alfred Hospital. One of the worst cases was that of Mr W. Thomas, who had several ribs broken, his chest bone Bmashedj and other injuries. His case was hopeless from the first, and he died at an early hour on Sunday. Another bad case was that of Mr James Boss, a member of the committee of the Philharmonic Society. He sustained concussion of the brain. There are very slight hopes of his recovery. A third bad case was that of a young man named Dalgety, of East Melbourne. He had both legs broken. A young girl named Burn, 12 years of age, had a thigh broken and an ankle likewise injured. Councillor Cavanagh, of East Melbourne, had internal and was found insensible. Mr Taylor, auctioneer, was also much injured. Altogether about seventy persons were injured, about twenty seriously. It appears certain that "the accident was caused " through the negligence of the officials at Hawthorn in allowing the special train to pass' before the arrival of the regular Melbourne train. The greatest excitement prevailed during the evening. " Extraordinaries" were issued* and the -.newspaper offices were thronged with anxious enquirers. Very few ladies were in the train. The special was filled with men only. . All the accounts published,, show' that the accident was more serious in its effects than the one at Jolimontj except as regards the number injured. The Argus' list of the wounded, with the ; account of their injuries, fills three , columns, but besides these there were those whose injuries were not so serious as to prevent; their proceeding to their homes, and of these there is no° account. There werp many miraculous escapes. The accident still continues to monopolise public attention, and is almost the sole topic of conversation. Tliere is a very general and deep feeling that the system must be changed, and the management of the railway system be entrusted to a permanent : board, independent of political influence. The accident is manifestly attributable to gross negligence of the officials or a defective system of traffic. In, either case it is felt that constant travellers rim terrible risks. ; The residents of Hawthorn have petitioned the Mayor to call a meeting of the inhabitants to consider the advisability of a change in the management of the railways. Other suburbs with large traffic are equally interested in the question, and it is expected that a very general movement will take place to compel Parliament to move in the matter.