Collapse of a Railway Station

From The Statesman dated December 2, 1910.

Station Master Killed And Several Persons Injured

At the Canning Town Railway Station, on the Southern Section of the Eastern Bengal State Railway, about 6 oclock on the evening of the 30th ultimo, the whole of the buildings suddenly collapsed. It is reported that the Station Master, a young Bengalee, whose name has not yet been ascertained and who was attending to his office duties at the time, was buried beneath the debris. News of the disaster spread quickly, and in a few minutes, a crowd of several hundred people had gathered and rendered what assistance they could. The body of the unfortunate Station Master was extricated, and life found to be extinct. Information was sent to the Government Railway Police at Sonapur and Belliaghatta. The Sonapur Police caught the last train to Canning Town, where on arrival they rendered assistance to the injured men, all of whom are believed to be Railway menials. As there was no other train leaving for Canning Town from Belliaghatta, a relief train was marshalled at the latter place. The Railway doctor, several Railway officials and Inspector Todd, of the Government Railway Police, proceeded with this train to Canning Town, where they found the station a total wreck. Canning Town Station, which is 28 miles from Calcutta, is a rather large one, and is the junction station for all trains proceeding to Sonarpur, Budge Budge and Diamond Harbour. The building which collapsed is said to be a masonry structure, and extended to nearly half the length of the platform. Beyond the fact that the building was a very old one, the immediate cause of the disaster is at present unknown. The damage to Railway property is said to be considerable. An official enquiry will in due course be held.