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On Saturday evening quite a sensational accident occurred at the Roma street railway crossing, but one which was, luckily, unattended by any more serious consequences than a freight to those most immediately concerned. The train from Sandgate ran into the station at about a quarter-past 7 o'clock, bring, however, but very few passengers, and for these there was a scramble among the Jehus in attendance at the station. This lot having been disposed of, the cabmen then rushed across the railway line to secure good places upon the opposite side of the station in time for the arrival of the Ipswich train. A man named John Riley, driving a two-wheeled car, No. 134, was about to traverse the line, when he was warned that the engine of the Sandgate train was close at hand. Riley seems to have lost his presence of mind, or thought he could cross before the engine could reach him, and whipped up his horse and drove ahead. He crossed the first pair of rails in safety, and was half-way across the second when the engine's cow-catcher struck the wheel of the cab, and the driver and horse and vehicle were thrown down, and projected several feet. The driver of the engine applied the brakes, but too late. The engine was then put back, and numbers of bystanders rushed to the permanent way to render assistance. Riley and his horse were expected to be killed, but fears were quickly dispelled by Riley himself rising from the ground more frightened than hurt. The horse was found to have received one or two cuts, but nothing serious. The greatest injury was done to the vehicle, the axle being broken and the wheel smashed. The cab was removed, and Riley shortly after led his horse home.

Description source: The Telegraph, 15 March 1886

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