ACCIDENT ON THE RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2234, 26 April 1881, Page 3

ACCIDENT ON THE RAILWAY.

An accident happened on tbo railway last night at the Colombo street crossing, which, bat for the most fortunate chance, might have resulted fatally to several porsons. It appears that Mr James Holt, of St. Asaph street, wag driving into the city from Sydenham in a trap, which contained a'so his wife, two other females, and two children. It was nine o'clock, and the night wnn intensely dark. When approaching the railway crossing at the point indicated, the road appeared clear, and Mr Holt drove fearlessly through the gates, and saw nothing near him, but when little more than half-way across the lines, the vehicle was struck violently by a railway truck, and the occupants ware thrown out. The train stopped immediately when the accident occurred, the engino driver at tho rear of the trucks having caught sight of tho carriage lamps. But for his promptitude the consequences must have been dreadful oven to think of. The trap was smashed to pieces. Mr Holt sustained a nasty cut on the aide of the face, but was otherwise unhurt. Mrs Holt suffered more severely, being very much bruised about the head, and the other two females were bruised and considerably shaken ; tho children escaped injury. The horse was also unhurt. According to the statement of Mr Holt there wag no light sufficient to show anything moving on the crossing and there was apparently no one engaged in shunting; but to the promptitude of the engine driver he is anxious to testify. It was a most wonderful escape, and, under all the circumstances, the victims of the accident may be congratulated that it was no worse.