Arksey In The News Part Two - Railway Incidents

Arksey Station, scene of many an accident

Gruesome Tales From Arksey Railway

The Great Northern Railway which passes by Arksey was first opened in 1848. It must have been welcomed by the parishioners as a convenient, and faster way of getting to Doncaster, and indeed, other places further afield.

This convenient mode of public transport also came with less welcome aspects, such as noise and dirt. But it also brought danger in the way of derailments, crashes, accidents, and death to those foolish enough to venture on to the tracks at the wrong moment.

There are many reported incidents of this nature in the newspaper archives of 1839-1939. In this second of five posts on Arksey in the News we take a look at some of the railway incidents reported.

Links to other articles in the series can be found at the end.

Contents

• Derailment at the Station - 1901
• Two Killed on Line - 1939
• Shocking Fatality on the Railway Near Doncaster - 1889
• A Fatal Accident on the Railway at Doncaster - 1889
• Fall From Express - 1930
• Singular Accident on the Railway - 1888
• Girl, 11, Killed on the Line - 1924
• Death in a Railway Carriage - 1896
• The Railway Accident Near Doncaster - Open Verdict - 1901
• Railway Fatality - 1901
• Father's Terrible Ordeal, Child Cut to Pieces by Express Train - 1924
• New Railway Record, London to Newcastle Under Four Hours, and This Despite Slight Hold-up - 1935
• Doncaster - The Shocking Fatality on the Railway - 1884
• Accident Near Arksey - 1886
• Cheetham v The Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company - 1865
• Shocking Accidents - 1890
• Widow Killed - 1919
• Links

Derailment at the Station

'Yesterday, at Arksey Station, near Doncaster, the axle of one of the wagons of a North-Eastern Railway coal train broke, and three wagons went off the line. The station lamp-room was demolished, and the crossing gates smashed.'

Manchester Evening News, 25 March 1901.

Two Killed on Line 

'Two men were found decapitated on railways in the Doncaster district yesterday.

James Whitfield, aged 16, a labourer, of Station-Road, Arksey, was found between Arksey Station and Bentley; and Frederick Hall, aged 48, unemployed, of Norman-Street, Thurnscoe, was found at Thurnscoe.'

Hull Daily Mail, 20 February 1939.

Shocking Fatality on the Railway Near Doncaster

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 1 January 1889

The following is a report on the inquest into the above tragedy.

A Fatal Accident on the Railway at Doncaster

'Yesterday Mr T. Atkinson, the borough coroner, held an inquest at Doncaster respecting the death of William Harding, aged 25, clerk in the office of the station-master, Mr. Rayner, who died from injuries at Arksey Station on Monday night. It appeared that deceased had been subject to epileptic fits. On Monday night he went to Arksey to assist the acting station-master with his accounts, and at nine o'clock left the office and went on to the platform without his hat. A goods train was being shunted to make way for the passenger train, and deceased just turned round to go back to the office when it is supposed that, being seized with a fit, he fell from the platform on to the line, and four or five trucks passed over him. He was lifted up and placed on the platform, when he ejaculated to a man near "Oh, Dick." His legs were shockingly mutilated, and he died half an hour after being admitted to the Infirmary. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned. It was stated that deceased's uncle was killed on the railway.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 3 January 1889.

Fall From Express

Hull Daily Mail, 23 June 1930

 Singular Accident on the Railway

'This morning a young woman named Agnes Hemsworth, aged 15, who lives at Bentley, near Doncaster, was found in the waiting room at Arksey Station under singular circumstances. On the previous night she had been to Norton to meet her mistress, but as the latter was not there to meet her she came back. On getting to Arksey she met with an accident, but is unable to explain how it occurred. It was thought that she fell out of the train, and that it must have passed over her foot, a portion of which was found about 50 yards away. At seven o'clock this morning she was found by a porter in the waiting room where she had been all night. Her foot was badly crushed, and she was unable to walk. An express train was stopped, and she was taken to Doncaster and admitted into the Infirmary, where it was found necessary to amputate her foot.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 28 November 1888.

Girl, 11, Killed on the Line

'Garry Fareham, a girl of 11, got in front of the London to Newcastle express near Arksey level crossing, Doncaster, and was killed instantly.'

Western Daily Press, 24 July 1924.

Death in a Railway Carriage

'This morning, the Doncaster Borough Coroner (Mr T. B. Sugden) held an inquest concerning the death of Mr Joseph Davey, earthenware dealer, Silver Street. The deceased was 64 years of age, and on Tuesday visited his daughter, Mrs Sowerby, at Knottingley. He walked to the station and left at 20 minutes to nine for Doncaster. On the way to the station he complained of feeling unwell, and had previously suffered from bronchitis and his heart. Robert Hall, guard of the train, said his attention was called to the deceased at Arksey, and he was then kneeling on the bottom of the carriage, his head being against the seat. thinking that he was asleep, the guard eased him and closed the door. When the train arrived at Doncaster it was found that he was dead. Dr MacKay, who had held a post-mortem examination, said that death was due to syncope caused by fatty degeneration of the heart. - The jury returned a verdict accordingly.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 31 December 1896.

The Railway Accident Near Doncaster - An Open Verdict

'This morning the Doncaster Borough Coroner (Mr. T. B. Sugdan) held an inquiry concerning the death of Frederick Arthur Carr, aged 24, carriage builder, son of Arthur Carr, 11 Park Terrace, who met with an accident on the railway near Arksey, on Sunday night. 

Henry Swallow, bricklayer's labourer, St Mary's Crescent, stated that on Sunday afternoon he and deceased, and a man named Stephen, went to Arksey by train, and on arriving there at once proceeded to the public-house, where he remained drinking and talking until after eight o'clock. On leaving, witness asked deceased to come with him, but he declined. Deceased was neither really drunk nor sober, but he had had plenty to drink.

An excavator named George Cramm, of Pell's Close, stated that he was at the public-house with two other men, and left at a quarter to nine to walk along the main line to Doncaster. the down express passed him, and 200 yards further on he heard someone groaning on the bank-side. He went down, and found the deceased, with his leg cut off. The deceased had rolled from the bank-side, and was only partially conscious, being unable to speak. Witness bound the leg up with his muffler and coat, and William Gilbert went forward to Doncaster, and informed the railway officials, who sent a light engine for the deceased.

A witness named Henry Scalham, who went with the engine, said there was another man with him and Gilbert, but he did not know his name, and this man, whilst they were attending to his injuries addressed him as 'Cary'.

Dr Lowndes said the deceased's right leg was fractured below the knee, and the lower part torn off. The injuries were very extensive, and it was a hopeless case from the first. Deceased died about two o'clock in the morning.

The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from injuries sustained on the G.N.R., but that there was no evidence to show whether such injuries were the result of an accident or not.'

Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 26 March 1901.    

Railway Fatality

Yorkshire Evening Post, 10 September 1901

Father's Terrible Ordeal

Child Cut to Pieces by Express Train

'A six-year-old child, Lily Bird, daughter of Joseph Bird, labourer, of Arksey, near Doncaster, was killed by an express train at the level crossing at Arksey village on Saturday.

The father and child were walking towards the former's garden, situated near the railway line. Upon reaching the crossing they waited at the gates for a few minutes for a train to pass, and then the father opened the wicket gate to cross the metals. Both the father and the child failed to notice the approach of an express train travelling at high speed.

The little girl ran on to the line ahead of her father, and the engine of the express caught her as she was in the centre of the four-foot way, carrying her a distance of fifty yards.

She was killed immediately, and when the father came up he found the mutilated body and the clothing torn to shreds. 

A similar fatality occurred at the spot a few months ago.' 

Nottingham Evening Post, 1 September 1924.

New Railway Record

London to Newcastle Under Four Hours

And This Despite Slight Hold-up

'The express train which steamed out of King's Cross station, London, at eight minutes past nine this morning to attempt to cover the 268 miles to Newcastle in four hours, actually arrived three minutes ahead of scheduled time, having thus beaten all British records for the distance.

The average speed of the train was nearly 68 m.p.h, and the maximum speed attained during the journey was 88.5 m.p.h.

This record was accomplished, too, in the face of a slight hold-up beyond Doncaster owing to single line working in consequence of some trucks having become derailed.

The express was not carrying ordinary passengers, but was a special train conveying a number of officials who keenly watched it's performance throughout the journey.

The locomotive was Papyrus, one of the Pacific type.

The train ran magnificently over the 156 miles to Doncaster, arriving there three minutes under the scheduled time of 2hrs. 13min.

Then the bad news that the up-track at Arksey, a few miles further on, was blocked, and that single-line working was in operation, was handed to an official leaning out of the dynamo-meter car as the train passed slowly through the station.

This is the car in which speed, pull, and other details of the engine's performance were recorded.

At nine o'clock this morning, 10 empty coal trucks at the rear of a long goods train had become derailed at the level crossing at Arksey station.

The trucks carried away a post by the level crossing, and were dragged along the track splintering sleepers and the woodwork of a small culvert bridge.

 Rush to Clear Wreckage

Gangers were rushed to the scene, and in view of the urgency of the case, badly damaged trucks were pushed down the embankment, and the work of getting the others back on the track was hurried along so that the line would be clear for the special's return run.

The special rolled on at a slow speed towards the blocked-up line, officials praying that it would not have to pull up, but the signals were against her, and with a grinding of brakes Papyrus came to a halt.

The stop was only momentary, but the loss of time was distinct.

The engine could not pick up on the awkward run to York by the swing bridge at Selby, but from York, Papyrus found herself on the "racing ground" of the system, and covered 44 1/4 miles to Darlington in 33 minutes 57 seconds.

The lost minutes at Doncaster were more than regained, and after negotiating the difficult run from Darlington to Newcastle, honey-combed with coal-workings, the train steamed into Newcastle three minutes ahead of time.

The fastest train hitherto running to Newcastle took five hours six minutes.

The special left Newcastle at 3.47 p.m. and it is hoped that King's Cross will be reached at 7.47 p.m. 

Great Britain still holds the world's record for the fastest regular steam-driven railway train. This is achieved by the Cheltenham Flyer, which covers the 77 1/4 miles from Swindon to Paddington each week-day in 65 minutes - an average start to stop speed of 71.3 miles an hour.  

The title of the world's fastest train is claimed by the Flying Hamburger, of the German State Railways. This train covered the 178 miles from Berlin to Hamburg in 138 minutes - an average of 77.4 miles an hour - and the return journey in 140 minutes - 76.3 miles an hour. This involves maximum speeds up to 100 miles an hour. 

The official speed record for the world's fastest steam train is held by the Great Western Railway, whose Plymouth Ocean Mail Express, on May 9th, 1904, touched 102.3 miles an hour.'

Nottingham Evening Post, 5 March 1935.   

                  

Doncaster - The Shocking Fatality on the Railway

'Yesterday evening Mr F. E. Nicholson, the county coroner, held an inquest on the man Wood, who comes from Shibbs Walden, and whose body was found on the railway near Doncaster, on Wednesday night. It appeared from the evidence that deceased had been to the statutes, and was going home by way of Arksey. He however missed his train, and is supposed to have set out to walk along the line. He however, took the wrong direction, and was no doubt overtaken by a goods train, knocked down by the buffer, and his body trailed along the four foot for over half a mile. The corpse was frightfully mangled. The jury returned a verdict of "accidentally killed".'

Yorkshire Gazette, 22 November 1884.

Accident Near Arksey

'About four o'clock yesterday afternoon a Lancashire and Yorkshire goods train, owing to the breaking of the axle of a wagon, came to grief on the down line of the Great Northern Railway, on the Doncaster and Knottingley line, near Arksey. The result was that half a dozen wagons with their scattered contents were thrown off the line into the adjoining fields, the permanent way was torn up, and the use of the rails temporarily stopped. The trains in the subsequent part of the day had to be worked on a single line. Although considerable damage was done there was little inconvenience.'

Leeds Mercury, 30 September 1876.

Cheetham v The Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company

'Mr Digby Seymour, Q.C. and Mr Wills were for the plaintiff; and Mr Manisty, Q.C. and Mr Cave for the defendants. The action was brought to recover damages for an injury sustained in a collision on the company's line, by which an engine and three carriages were thrown off the metals. Defendants admitted negligence, and had paid into court £200 as sufficient compensation. Plaintiff is the daughter of a Doncaster builder, and is twenty four years of age. At the time of the accident she taught music and singing, and had a large number of pupils. She was also the organist at Arksey Church. On the 17th  January she left Doncaster for Mexborough, intending to visit a friend who resides at Adwick-le-street, and at Womersley Cliff the accident occurred. Plaintiff received a violent blow on the back of the head, was thrown forward and then backwards, striking her head against the woodwork of the carriage, and she became insensible. She had to be restored by stimulants, and was conveyed by the next train to Mexborough, where she was observed to be so indisposed that the station master took her to his own house, supplied her with tea, and with a conveyance to take her on to Adwick. She passed a restless night, and had to return to Doncaster the next day, a surgeon was then sent for, and by him she had been attended up to the present time. The pain from which she suffered was first in the legs, and afterwards in the back of the head, attended with numbness of the joints. She was unable to sleep at nights; her feet were cold; she was unable to walk without assistance; was very susceptible to touches on the head and back; was subject to fits of fainting; her appetite was gone; and she was unable to sing or play, she had lost all her pupils and her situation as organist. - The medical evidence was to the effect that plaintiff was suffering from slight concussion of the spinal cord, and inflammation of certain parts of the spinal column, and that a length of time must elapse before she would recover.

Mr Manisty, for the defence, called Dr. Fletcher, of Manchester, surgeon to the railway company, and Mr T. P. Teale, of Leeds, who stated that plaintiff had apparently been very much frightened and excited by the accident; that she was suffering from nervous excitement, which had deranged the stomach, and which had induced vomiting after meals; and that there was no symptom to indicate concussion of the brain or spine. Dr. Fletcher considered that plaintiff's feeble state was due to the effect of emotional excitement, which disturbed the general condition of the body. The pains of which she complained was the result of an exhausted state of the nervous system; but he saw no reason to doubt her recovery within a few months. - Mr Teale came to the same conclusion, stating that there was a non-existence of spinal or cerebral concussion, and of any sprain; and he also expressed himself confidently as to her speedy recovery.

Verdict for the plaintiff - damages £000, in addition to the £200 paid into court.'

Leeds Intelligencer, 19 August 1865.

Shocking Accidents

York Herald, 25 January 1890

Widow Killed

Sad Fatality At Arksey

A sad fatality occurred on the G.N.R. main line near Arksey Station on Saturday morning [11th October], the victim being a aged widow, Frances Amelia Harwood, who lived at the Arksey Almshouses.

The story of the accident was told before Mr. F. Allen the Doncaster District Coroner, who attended at the Plough Hotel, Arksey, on Monday to hold the inquest. Inspector Marks, G.N.R. Police, and Mr. J. A. Baddiley, representing the Locomotive Drivers' and Firemen's Association, were present.

Sarah Ann Charlesworth, 19, Broughton Avenue, Bentley, identified the body as that of her mother, who was the widow of George Harwood, of Summerscales, Derbyshire, brickmaker. She was 89 years of age, and though active, her eyesight and hearing were failing and she had a bad memory, and at times acted childishly. 

Lucy Warner, widow, living at the Almshouses, said deceased spoke to her at 10-40 a.m. on Saturday, saying "I am going over there" (meaning the coal tip), "will you go with me on Monday?" To get to the tip she would have to cross the G.N. main line by a footpath a short distance north of Arksey Station. She went the same way last week to gather sticks. She was the oldest inhabitant of the almshouses, and was able to look after herself.

Arthur Wm. Wright, 118, Alexandra Road, Grantham, engine driver on the Great Northern Railway, said that on Saturday he had charge of an engine running light from Doncaster to York. If there had been no signals against him he would have gone through at 30 miles per hour. Upon approaching Bentley Colliery, about 11-5 a.m., he saw deceased starting to cross the line about 100 yards in front of his engine. He sounded the whistle, but she took no notice. He sounded it again, shut off steam and applied the brake. Deceased looked the opposite way. He was 150 yards away when he first sounded the whistle, and possibly 50 to 80 yards the second time. Deceased made no effort to get out of the way when the engine was close to her, but the engine knocked her sideways on the left side of the road. Witness did not stop, but went on and reported the matter to the signalman at the Shaftholme junction, about a mile away. He would be running at about the rate of 30 miles per hour when the engine struck deceased. He could pull up a light engine in three or four hundred yards running at that speed. His instructions for such cases as this was to stop and render assistance, but under the present circumstances he thought it better to run on to Shaftholme. 

Questioned by Mr. Baddiley, the driver said his position on the footplate was on the right side. When he blew his whistle he thought the deceased would stop. He looked out over the left side of the engine and saw her fall on the left side, clear of the engine.

Albert Thornton, living at Scholey's Yard [off High Street], Arksy, platelayer, said he went and found the body 17 yards north of the footpath which crosses the line, about half a mile north of Arksey Station. The body was on the grass and quite dead. 

P.c. Grimshaw said he had examined the body and found the skull fractured, the right arm, left leg, and right shoulder blade broken. The engine did not appear to have passed over the body.

A verdict of "Accidental death" was entered.

Unknown publication October 1919

Courtesy of Sean Brennan

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Links

For other articles in the series use the links below:

Arksey in the News Part One - Wild Weather

Arksey in the News Part Three - Accidents

Arksey in the News Part Four - Crime and Punishment

Arksey in the News Part Five - Miscellaneous Matters

Alison Vainlo 

Written 2013, updated 2020