TERRIBLE TRAM ACCIDENT.

Eleven Killed – Over Fifty Injured.

Dover Express. August 1917.

Sunday Afternoon – Terrible Scenes.

On Sunday afternoon shortly before 3.30 Tram-car No. 20 proceeding to River ran away down the hill leading to Crabble from the London Road and, after colliding with the wall of Crabble Mills overturned. The car was crowded with passengers undoubtedly considerably over complement and of these very few escaped without some injury.

Ten were killed or died immediately after the accident, and many were terribly injured. As to the cause of the accident, it is impossible, till the Board of Trade inquiry and the inquest is resumed, to go into full particulars, but, it appeared that the car on reaching the top of the hill did not stop, due, it is said, to the back brake being partly on and preventing the front brakes being applied. The car at once gathered way and took the first curve at such speed that those in the car were thrown about in all directions, and before the car got down the hill the driver jumped off.

Two very brave attempts were made to stop the car, one by a Trooper Gunner and the other by Naval Pensioner Miller. Neither were successful, and the car at the point where the curve at the bottom of the hill commences, mounted the right-hand rail, and, running across the granite setts on its two right wheels, struck the wall of the Crabble Paper Mill and ran along the debris, striking the wall again, and then fell over to the right across the road-way.

The scene was a terrible one. Some few passengers had dropped off, but those on the top of the car were thrown violently on to the granite setts, the seats, rails, and etc. on the top were torn off, and the windows smashed. Immediate efforts were made to render aid. Six passengers were killed out-right, and four more died almost immediately.

Trooper Gunner had both legs smashed off, and Naval Pensioner Miller had one foot smashed off. P.C. Booth, one of the first on the scene, applied tourniquets to the wounds. The dead and badly injured were carried into the shade, and afterwards those badly injured were taken into the house close by. Calls for assistance on the telephone at once brought aid to those who were already assisting on the spot.

On the car were nine officers and these were all riding on the top and were all very badly hurt. Amongst the victims was a well-known Folkestone Councillor, Mr W. S. Joseph, who died soon after the accident. Another victim was the Deputy Clerk to the Electricity Department, Mr A. D. Axford.

List of the Killed.

The following, unfortunately net their deaths from the accident –
Miss Susan Green of 4 Norman Street Dover. (London home 21 Athathorne Road Battersea Park London.
Miss Lottie Scrace, 80 Heathfield Avenue, the conductress of the tram.
Mr. H. Boteler, 22 Snargate Street, Restaurant proprietor.
Mr W. Skinner, 17 years of age, son of the landlord of the “Red Lion” Inn St. James Street.
Councillor Solomon Walter Joseph, 34 Castle Hill Avenue Folkestone.
Seaman Collis Cade, deck hand, of the motor launches.
Pte. William Livermore, Royal Fusiliers.
Seaman, Ernest Royal, Drifter Patrol.
Mr George Ernest Foster, Metropolitan Police, 5 Belgrave Road.
Mr A. D. Axford, Deputy Chief Clerk, Dover Electricity Department 51 Church Road.
Lieut. Roberts T.R.B. who died on Monday from fractures of the skull; his home address is 46 Denby Road Belgravia.

List of the Injured.

The injured taken to Dover Hospital and detained there were as follows –

Mrs Marie Etchells, 4 Victoria Crescent – bruised back.
Joan Etchells, 2 years 4 Victoria Crescent – injuries to arm.
Maurice Miller, 23 Vale View Road – injuries to foot (since amputated)
Mrs F. Miller, 23 Vale View Road – both arms fractured.
Iris Smith, 9 years old, 23 Vale View Road – injuries to foot.
Clarence Christopher, aged 7 years, 30 Minerva Avenue – injuries to head and arms.
Matilda Christopher, 11 years – injuries to head and arms.
Thomas Jarman, 41 Snargate Street – injuries to head and arms.
Mrs May Jarman, 41 Snargate Street – injuries to face.
J. Morrell, Liverpool Street – cut head.
Charles Tomlin, 33 Trevanion Street – fractured thigh-bone.
Mrs Tomlin, 33 Trevanion Street – cut arm and shoulder.
Ethel Reader, 62 Buckland Avenue – fractured ribs.
Winifred May Reader, 62 Buckland Avenue – concussion.
Winnie Long, (visitor from London) staying at 13 Blucher Street – injuries to face.
Mrs Livermore, (wife of soldier who was killed) – smashed foot and injuries to head.
Miss Tomlin, 33 Trevanion Street – concussion.
Mrs Cade, (wife of sailor killed) – concussion.
Dolly Hunt, York House Snargate Street (who was in company with the sailor Royal
who was killed) – concussion.
Daisy Marlow, servant at the Hotel Burlington – injuries to face.
Mr Barnstein, 29 Liverpool Street – slight wounds.
Mrs Hardy, River – slight injuries.
Kathleen Freeman, 2 years old, 5 Primrose Road – slight injuries and shock.
Lucy Brewer, 7 years of age, 5 Primrose Road – slight injuries and shock.
Emily Brewer, 12 years, 5 Primrose Road – slight injuries and shock.
Jack Head, 14 years, “Glenlyn” Folkestone Road – injuries to arm and head.
The following attended the hospital and were allowed home after treatment—
Mrs Agnus Hinkley, 1 Barton View – fractured arm and injuries to back and chest.
Robert Hinkley, 12 years, 1 Barton View – various cuts about the body.
Dulcie Eastman, 16 Park Street – injuries to arm and back.
Pte. Hubbard, R.F.C. – injuries to head.
Rose Brockman, 12 Dublin Cottages River – slight injuries.
Nellie Green, 12 Dublin Cottages – slight injuries.
Hilda Tritton aged 11 years, 55 Mayfield Avenue – slight injuries.
Hilda Beacham aged 12 years, of 162 Snargate Street – slight injuries.

The following were taken to the Military Hospital for treatment —
Major Charwood Atkins, East Surrey Regt. – injuries to face and right arm.
Second Lieut. Davis, East Surrey Regt. – abrasions and shock.
Lieut. Read, East Surrey Regt. – injuries to arm.
Lieut. Beer, A.O.C. – injuries to shoulder and shock.
Lieut. Kent, East Surrey Regt. – injuries to head.
Capt. Carpneil, – contusions to elbow.
Lieut. Meadow, East Surrey Regt. – injuries to head and chest.
Lieut. Williams, East Surrey Regt. – injuries to head.
Pte. Hallam, R.A.M.C. – abrasions and shock.
Pte. Simpson, The Buffs – bruised ribs and shock.
Lance-Corporal Pettitt, Royal Fusiliers – contused elbow.
Pts. Davis, Royal Fusiliers – contused head shoulders and back.
Pte. Taylor, East Surrey Regt. – fractured jaw.
Pte. Ingham, R.A.M.C. – abrasions and shock.
Corporal Etchells, T.R.B. – lacerated wounds of the right hand.
Trooper W. Gunner, 1st Dragoon Guards (attached A.P.C.) – both feet smashed and
amputated.
Pte. H. Franklin, T.R.B. – scalp wound.
Chief Mechanic G. Bellhouse was removed to Deal Infirmary, and his injuries are not known.

Details of the Accident.

The scene after the accident was a terrible one. There was at first not too many to help the tremendous number of those injured.

As soon as the news reached the Police Station, Chief Constable Fox proceeded to the scene in a motor car, and en route picked up two of the Union nurses who rendered great aid.

The injured were taken into the adjoining houses after the worst wounds were first bound up. The “Cricketer’s” Hotel was turned into a first-aid dressing station and brandy was freely dispensed to the large number suffering from shock who needed immediate restoratives.
The first news of the accident reached the Police Station from the General Manager, Mr Carden. He was at home, which is not far from the spot, and heard tremendous screaming, and then the crash, and he at once ran to the telephone and informed the Police Station that a serious accident had happened, and asked that doctors and ambulances should at once be dispatched.

The first news received at the Buckland Tram Shed was taken by a woman, who had been sent by a railway signalman to tell those in charge of the shed that a tram accident had occurred at Crabble. Inspector Elgar was on duty regulating the traffic and he at once went on a River tram to Crabble, little realising that it was more than a small mishap. At the top of the hill down to the Lower Road he learnt that a tram had turned over and he at once ordered the passengers to get off his tram, and took it down to the scene of the accident himself. The worst injured cases, including Mr Joseph, Trooper Gunner (who had both feet torn off whilst attempting to stop the car), Mrs Jarman (who was seriously injured) were at once taken on this car to the Hospital by inspector Elgar, two dying en route. There was a good deal of difficulty in getting them into the car, as there were at that time no stretchers available.

The first doctor to arrive was Dr. Elliot who arrived very quickly after the accident. He at once administered morphia to those who were painfully injured. Doctors, Long, Richardson and Koettlits arrived very shortly afterwards and had plenty to do rendering first-aid.

Amongst those who were early on the scene to render first-aid at a time when there was no one to help were Sergeant Gore, of the St. John Ambulance Division, Sergeant Mills of the R.E. (Dover), and three members of the Dover Companies of the 1st Kent Volunteer Regiment, Mr Livings, Mr Robson and Mr Rigden. The first conveyance to arrive was the tram car in charge of Inspector Elgar, which took away a large number of the injured. This was followed by a police ambulance, and then a military ambulance. More tram cars arrived to remove the injured, and after a time two more military ambulances with military surgeons, who at once attended to and conveyed to the Military Hospitals the large number of officers and men who were hurt.

Two of the daughters of Mr Reader of 62 Buckland Avenue, the Goods Superintendent at the Town Station, were amongst the injured.

The car was in charge of Driver Brissenden and Miss Lottie Scrace was the conductress. Brissenden is a discharged soldier, who suffered from a nervous breakdown due to service in Egypt. He had only been a driver for less than a month, but was stated to have been remarkably quick in picking up the work.

Two of the Service men who were killed were in the company of their wives – Private Livermore of the Royal Fusiliers was killed, and his wife Mrs Livermore had her foot smashed and an injury to her head. Her husband was not identified till the following morning. He leaves five children in London. Seaman Collis Cade a deck hand on the motor launches who was killed was also accompanied by his wife Mrs Cade, who was taken to the Hospital suffering from concussion. Seaman Royal of the Drifter Patrol who was killed was in company with Polly Hunt of the “York House” Snargate Street, who was taken to the Hospital suffering from concussion. Royal was one of the best-known hands in the Drifter Patrol, and was a prominent member of their football team, for which he played centre half-back.

The death of Councillor Joseph of Folkestone, one of the most prominent members of the Town Council was doubly tragic. He had come over to Dover with his wife, formerly Miss Barnstein, to celebrate the golden wedding of the Rev. I. Barnstein the Rabbi of Dover, and in company with his wife and Mr Barnstein his brother-in-law, who is in charge of Messrs. Hart and Co’s furnishing business at the top of Snargate Street and their nephew Master Morrel, were taking a trip out to River. Mr Joseph received terrible injuries to his head and also internally, and died whilst being taken to the Hospital. Mrs Barnstein escaped with little injury, and her brother was cut about on the head, but escaped otherwise, and the boy received cuts to the head.

Amongst the passengers who escaped injury was Miss Laura Bomford, who is in charge of the Dover National Registration. As soon as she found the car out of hand she crouched down on the floor and drew her dress over her head, and thus escaped the cuts from the broken glass that those who remained inside suffered from.

Naval pensioner Maurice Miller, who tried to stop the car, was the coastguard who some years ago was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s medal for successful efforts in taking a line to the schooner “Osprey” which was driven on the West Beach, and broke up. He had his foot smashed, and subsequently it was amputated and his wife Mrs Frances Miller, who was accompanying him, had both arms fractured, whilst a little girl, Iris Smith, who was with them also suffered from an injury to the foot.

Mrs Botelor and Miss Boteler, the wife and daughter of Mr H. Boteler, who keeps a restaurant at 22 Snargate Street, were at chapel when the accident took place. A message was sent to them and they were called out by information that Mr Boteler had met with an accident. Outside the chapel the tragic news that Mr Boteler had been killed was broken to them.

The only case where two companions were both killed was that of P.C. Foster of the Metropolitan Police and Miss Susan Green his fiancée. Miss Susan Green has resided for some time at 4 Norman Terrace but her home is 21 Autherthorne Road Battersea Park London, and she is has been employed at Dover. Her body for some time not identified. She was terribly injured, as she was caught between the brick wall and the tram.

The tram conductress who was killed, Miss Lottie Scrace was engaged to be married to a sailor shortly, and in her coffin wears the ring with which she would have been married.

Mrs Axford, the wife of Mr Axford who was killed was at the time away in Devonshire, and had to be telegraphed for. Mr Axford has been in charge of the clerical department of the Electricity Undertaking since Captain Broad of the School of Musketry, the Chief Clerk, and Sergeant Capell of the R.E. went up. Mr Axford leaves a child.

Mr Skinner of the “Red Lion” St. James’s Street has suffered a great loss in the death of his 16-year-old son. Mr Skinner himself has for some time been in ill health and only last year the bomb that dropped on his own house was a great shock to him and his family.
Owing to the possibilities of enemies’ action causing many casualties in Dover, there is an organisation in Dover for at once summoning doctors, ambulances, etc. and this proved most useful on Sunday. All the doctors in the town were warned, although some did not get the call for half an hour. As Already stated they at first went to Crabble, but the later ones went to the Hospital.

The pressure at the Hospital was very great, and it was not until ten o’clock at night that all the cases had been dealt with. The emergency beds came in very useful. These were purchased and hired by the Corporation last year to deal with a large number of casualties, and on Sunday night if necessary another thirty cases could have been accommodated at the Hospital. The Salvation Army provided a number of helpers, who made up beds, etc and generally gave additional help.

Two Naval surgeons gave the civil practitioners great aid at the Hospital. The Military doctors were busy with the large number of casualties that occurred to their own officers and men, these cases being the gravest which had to be dealt with. Some of the soldiers were, in the first case, taken to the Hospital but owing to the pressure there they were removed in military ambulances to the Western Heights to be operated on.

In the evening the position of the car was slightly moved to clear a roadway. The place where the right hand wheels of the car mounted the rails and ran across the granite pitchers was marked with chalk, but the track was very distinct.

The Mayor visited the injured at the Hospital and the scene of the disaster in the evening.

It is almost impossible to trace all those on the car, but amongst those who escaped were three young men on the front, a woman with a baby, who was thrown off the platform on to the top of those who were thrown off the top of the car and three little boys who jumped off on the way down the hill.

At St. Mary’s Church on Sunday evening the Bishop of Croydon made a sympathetic reference to the terrible accident and at most other places of worship references were made and prayers offered for the bereaved.

A Passenger’s Account.

One of the passengers on the car was Mr Jarman of 41 Snargate Street Dover. who was riding on the top of the car with his wife formerly Miss May Watts, whose brother conducts a large meat and provision business in Snargate Street. Mrs Jarman received a very great number of injuries, and her condition for some time was very serious, but has much improved now. Mr Jarman himself was a good deal cut about on the head, but was able to leave the Hospital after treatment. Our representative had a talk with him after the air raid on Wednesday. He was at the Hospital at the time, and passed an anxious time by the bed of his wife with bombs dropping all around. The patients were much distressed and the pain from which Mrs Jarman had been free came on again, so that a sedative had to be given, but the Hospital passed through scathless and Mr Jarman said that later in the day his wife was very much brighter. Speaking of the accident he said that the first important incident of the journey was recalled to his memory by Mrs Jarman on Wednesday. It was that the car at Buckland ran beyond the place where it usually stopped, the brakes not pulling it up. This rather alarmed Mr Jarman at the time and she first thought of suggesting that they should get off and walk, but she did not like to do so. After leaving Buckland the car did not stop again, and on reaching the brow of Crabble Hill where the track descends to the Lower Road, Mr Jarman said that they went straight on without a stop, and at once gathered speed down the slope. As they approached the first sharp curve the car was going so fast it seemed as if would run off the rails at the curve into the bank. The passengers were thrown about and many screamed. It kept the rails somehow, and then went straight down the steep hill at a tremendous sped going through the railway arch like a flash, and then when near the bottom ran off the lines and, after hitting the wall overturned and they were thrown out. The groans and screams were very dreadful and he himself got his wife clear, and Mr Livings rendered first aid to her and Mr Jarman.