The Times 1801 - 1810 Oct 31 1807 - Mail Coach Accident

Oct 31 1807 - Mail Coach Accident

The Times, Saturday, Oct 31, 1807; pg. 4; Issue 7193; col A On Sunday the 8th instant, between the hours of eleven and twelve at night, as the Newcastle mail coach was returning to Carlisle, on descending Stanwix Hill, the coupling reins of the leading horses gave way, consequently the driver lost all command of the animals. When they came to the southern extremity of the bridge over the river Eden, the leading horses wheeled to the river, where they had been accustomed to water, and notwithstanding every exertion was made by the driver, they succeeded in dragging the coach from the causeway. The sudden declivity between the road and the water overturned the coach, and the driver, the guard, and a sailor (an outside passenger) were thrown to a considerable distance from their seats. Another poor tar, of the name of ANTHONY JOHNSTONE (likewise an outside passenger), on his way to Whitehaven, determining to "stick to the vessel as long as she was seaworthy," unfortunately had his leg broken. The situation of three Gentlemen in the inside now became perilous in the extreme, as the leading horses were struggling for the river; but providentially they were stopped in their career by the driver and guard, who escaped unhurt, and had gone to the assistance of the passengers, who, we are happy to state, received not the least personal injury. The poor sailor, who lies at the Bush Inn, Carlisle, is in a fair way of recovery. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

< Prev		Next >