A terrible railway accident occurred on Tuesday on the South-Eastern
Railway at Chartham, a place near Canter- bury. A waggon full of hop-pickers—there are said to have been twenty, including the babies — proceeding down a country road, was brought to a standstill by a level-crossing. Two boys jumped down and opened the first set of gates. The waggon then moved on to the line. Before, however, the further gates could be opened, a train—the approach of which had not been noticed—was upon them, The driver tried to back the heavy waggon, but of course without success. The effect of the collision was terrible, Seven persons were killed and eight injured. Two children—one a year and eight months old, and another five years old—were killed outright, and six were injured. Immediately, no one was to blame for the accident, but it is impossible not to feel that any company which does not attempt to get rid of its level-crossings on regular highways incurs a grave responsibility. It is alleged that the expense is too great, but that is exaggerated. If the Company keeps a man to open and shut the gates, which it ought to do, his wages are no more than the interest on the bridge, which is the alternative. The South-Eastern will find it good policy to get rid of these death-traps.
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