Accident Returns: Extract for the Accident at Hopefield Junction on 12th July 1867

"On the 12th inst., a train had left Rumbling Bridge (the present terminus of the Devon Valley line) at 5.35 pm; it consisted of a tender, engine, guard's van with break block to each wheel, two third-class carriages, one first-class, one second-class carriage, and three empty waggons, coupled in the order stated. About a mile from the junction the guard uncoupled the engine at a signal from the fireman. He states that he then put on hie break slightly and that the engine ran out of his sight. On approaching the bridge near the station, he feared he was going too fast and put his break on hard. He thus reduced his speed considerably, but still not enough to prevent his van striking the engine as it was on the point of the loop in the act of shunting. The collision was very slight, as the speed of the train, when it occurred, did probably not exceed three miles an hour and as the driver on seeing that a collision was inevitable had stopped his engine and was endeavouring to back. No carriages were thrown off the line; the buffers of the guard's van struck the engine buffers, one of the former and the piston of one of the latter being broken. As before stated, three passengers only were slightly injured."

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