DESPERATE LEAP FROM A RAILWAY TRAIN.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 56, 23 October 1875, Page 3

DESPERATE LEAP FROM A RAILWAY TRAIN.

The following particulars of the attempted ' suicide of Captain Stevens, of the ship Auckland, are from the u Edinburgh Commit“On the 31st July a passenger by the Caledonian train from Glasgow to Greenock at 4 o’clock, attempted to commit suicide by leaping from a first-class carriage between Langbank and Port Glasgow stations, while the train was travelling about 40 miles an hour, and subsequently cut his throat while lying in the ditch into which he fell. The unfortunate man is named Stevens, and was till recently in command of the fine ship Auckland, belonging to •Messrs Patrick, Henderson, and Co, which sailed from the Tail of the Bank ■for New Zealand,with a full complement of passengers, on Saturday evening. On Saturday lie had called at the business premises of a firm in Glasgow, and by his conduct those doing business with him saw that something was nfong With his mind-. Captain Stevens having intimated that he was going to Greenock one of the gentlemen belonging to that establishment named Muuroe was asked to accompany him for safety. At bridge : stvect station the two got seated in a first-class carriage, and subsequently a lady and some children came into the compartment and remained till the train reached Paisley, when they left. From this station Mr Munroe and Captain Stevens were left alone. About two miles from Port Glasgow Captain Stevns got up, and taking off his watch and chain, dashed it down on the seat, and at once proceeded to get cut of the window. Mr Munro did all in his power to restrain him but Captain Stevens being a powerful man Mr Munro was unable to overcome him. Eventually, the Captain got so far out of the window as to be able to catch the roof with his hands and with one bound ho threw himself from the carriage Upon the embankment, near Parklea, and was seen to roll into the ditch below by Mr Martin,- One of the inspectors of the railway company, who was travelling in‘the van along with the guard: fhe 6ngine-driver, being unaware Of wlidt had happened, proceeded to Port Glasgow. When that Station wBB reached, however, a pilotengine was sent hack, When the unfortunate map was picked up and brought -- ■ r‘<

to Port Glasgow, - Ho was removed to the Gn cTock infirmary, wl;e -e on cxamination it was'found he had received a large lacerated wound, on the forehead, and other injuries. While the doctors were dressing these wounds, their attention was attracted by the unfortunate man’s peculiar breathing, and on raising the long beard which he wore, it was discovered that he had also out his throat, the wiftdpipe being nearly severed. It is supposed that he had inflicted this injury upon himself with a penknife wl iie lying in the ditch near the railway trade. Yesterday Captain Stevens’ condition was most critical, but hopes are entertained that he may recover.