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From: "Celia Renshaw" <>
Subject: [BKM] Bucks Herald 28 January 1871 - no.6
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 01:52:47 -0000


And finally, if you thought we had problems with the railways now...........

BLETCHLEY

REMARKABLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. - A most singular accident occurred to the 3.30
express train from London to Birmingham, on Tuesday last, between Leighton
and Bletchley. Soon after the train had left Leighton station, the flooring
of a second-class compartment dropped out. There was only one passenger in
the compartment, and he got upon one of the seats. He states that he
endeavoured to pull the cord - the means of the communication with the
driver or the guard of the train - and that he heard the bell sound, but
that the train was not stopped. During that time sparks and splinters from
the broken flooring, which came in contact with the wheels were flying
about, and he says that he was himself, to use his own words, “jerked about
like a parched pea in a frying pan.” He held to the seat as long as he was
able, and, feeling that he was in the most imminent peril, and that of two
dangers it was better to choose the lesser, he determined to jump from the
train. he did so, and rolled down the embankment, and fortunately escaped
without any broken bones. Soon after he had jumped from the carriage the
train stopped, returned to the spot where he had made his leap for life, and
picked him up again. Although, happily, the passenger escaped without
personal injury, he lost his hat and his luggage, and he will probably for
the rest of his life have a very vivid recollection of his ride from
Leighton to Bletchley. The accident to the carriage caused a delay of half
an hour to the express.
________________________

from Celia Renshaw
Nottingham UK

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