Train and Cart Collision, Homebush Station 1883

Homebush Railway Station, January 1900 from the west. Homebush Station was greatly extended in 1891. Courtesy NSW State Archives and Records

Homebush Railway Station has changed surprisingly little from this photo taken in January 1900. However in July 1883 when woodcarter, David McKenzie from Broughton Road, Homebush was going about his work, the station – and railway line – were far more modest. The line was quadrupled just eight years later in 1891. Homebush Railway Station is listed on the NSW State Heritage Inventory and you can read about its history and significance at: https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/ViewItem?itemId=5012056

‘An accident of a serious character occurred at the Homebush railway crossing yesterday afternoon, which was attended by quite a chapter of misfortunes.’[1]

Late on the wintry day of 5 July 1883, McKenzie was leading his horse and cart across the railway line just west of Homebush Station. When he was about halfway across he realised that the train from Parramatta was approaching and desperately tried to get out of the way. Unfortunately he was not quick enough and the train struck the horse, killing it instantly, and knocked both cart and carter over, pinning McKenzie underneath his dead horse.

‘The collision was so violent that the cart was literally splintered.’[2]

The injured man was speedily extricated by Homebush Stationmaster, George Henson and placed on board the train – the quickest way to reach hospital in the city. Meanwhile, a telegram was despatched to the stationmaster at Redfern, Mr Johnstone, requesting an ambulance be ready to meet the train. Having heard the news, McKenzie’s wife rushed to catch the next train to Sydney.

Ambulance wagon at Sydney, 1890. Courtesy NSW State Archives and Records

It was the custom at this time to secure a horse from the nearest cab to harness to the ambulance wagon and this was speedily arranged ready to meet the train. Unfortunately the horse secured was restive. As the patient was being loaded into the ambulance, the horse bolted.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the cabman, Johnstone and the poor patient were all thrown violently from the carriage.

Engraving of Anthony Hordern and Sons Emporium, 1889. Courtesy City of Sydney Archives

Horace Kearney, a railway porter at Darling Harbour was knocked down by the runaway horse outside Messrs. Hordern and Sons’ department store at Brickfield Hill, resulting in a fractured arm. The carriage wheel also passes over his abdomen. He was conveyed to hospital by a policeman. However, the frightened horse – with carriage – continued careering down George Street. By the time he was caught, the ambulance was severely damaged, as were another cab (and driver) with whom it collided.

George Street, Brickfield Hill, 1873. Courtesy State Library of NSW

The first cabman and Johnstone escaped serious injury but McKenzie’s wounds included two lacerations to his head, several broken ribs and internal injuries. He was finally admitted to hospital in a critical condition although it is unclear from newspaper reports exactly which injuries were received in the train accident and which resulted from the debacle with the ambulance. He was treated by Dr Muskett who stated that ‘the patient might live through it but thought it extremely doubtful.’[3]

Homebush Stationmaster Henson later reported that McKenzie was well known in the district as a steady, respectable man and quite sober at the time of the accident.

McKenzie did survive the accident and remained in Homebush. In February 1885 he added his mark to the counter petition against the incorporation of Strathfield Council. In a coincidence, his mark was witnessed by Stationmaster, George R. Henson. McKenzie was then a freeholder of Rochester Road.[4]

David Alexander McKenzie died 14 February 1890 at his residence in Broughton Road, Homebush aged 66.[5] His wife, Martha died at her residence in Coventry Road, Homebush, aged 81, in July 1903.[6]

 

By J.J. MacRitchie

Local Studies Advisor

 

References

[1] Sydney Morning Herald 6 July 1883 p.6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13538476

[2] Sydney Morning Herald 6 July 1883 p.6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13538476

 

[3] Queanbeyan Age 10 July 1883 p.2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30788189

 

[4] Supplement to the New South Wales Government Gazette No.56 11 February 1885

 

[5] Daily Telegraph 15 February 1890 p.1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235721084

 

[6] Sydney Morning Herald 24 July 1903 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14572776