Transcription
Letter from Kirkaldy. DREADFUL ACCIDENT At Kirkaldy By a Gallery in the Church falling down, during the time the Rev, Dr Irving was preaching to a crowed Audience where- by a great number was killed and wounded.
News of a most disagreeable nature have reached us from Kirkaldy this morning, and the following letter was handed to us just now, by a respectable Gentleman, who had received it from a friend by the Steam Boat, upon making enquiry, we find that some accident has actually taken place last night in that quarter, and we give it publicity, hoping as the writer says, that it is greatly exaggerated. Kirkaldy; Monday Morning, June 16th 1828. Sir-I embrace the opportunity of sending you by the first boat this morning, some accounts of the dreadful accident which happened last night, an acci- dent, which for its fatal and calamatious consequences, is unparalleled in the history of Kirkaldy. It was in- timated, latter end of last week, that the Rev. Mr Erving was to preach in our church on Sunday evening, which intimation soon gained circulation for miles round Kirkaldy, and during Sunday afternoon, the people were seen pouring into the town from all quarters. Long before the stated hour, the Church was filled to excess, and hundreds could not gain admittance. The service commenced, and nothing in the least in- dicated or forwarned the awful catastrophe that fol- lowed. During the service however owing to the crowded state of the Gallery, a kind of continual mov- ing was going on, such as some of those that were sit- ting, rising up to accommodate those that had stood some length of time. When service was near conclud- ed, a sort of crackling noise was heard, which alarm- ed the people, and caused a general movement, and awful to relate, at this moment of confusion, part of the Gallery gave way, and fell with a crash on the devoted victims below. A scene past describing now took place, a general rush was made towards the doors and many were hurt by being trampled on and press- ed. As soon as the accident was made known to the proper authorities, they rendered the greatest assist- ance, those that were hurt were carefully lodged in the neighbouring houses, where medical assistance was promptly got. I have not been able to ascertain the exact number of those that ware hurt, as the town is still in a state of confusion, but report says that there are thirty killed, besides many that is dangerously hurt; but I hope this account is greatly exaggerated. I was among the fortunate number that did not gain admit- tance. During the course of this day I will get every information, and let you know. I send this early in- telligence to give you the satisfaction that there was none of our family there. I am &c.
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1828 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.74(089)
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