Sussex Advertiser - Wednesday 11 September 1878

HAYWARDS HEATH

NARROW ESCAPE. — About half-past seven on Sunday night an alarming accident happened near the Railway Station. Mr Seth Neale, coachbuilder, of Whiteman’s Green, was proceeding with his horse and phaeton towards the railway station. On getting under the railway arch below the Burrell Arms, the bottom of the phaeton fell completely out, and simultaneously the bell rang at the station, which is supposed to have frightened the horse, which bolted with his driver as far as the Station Hotel, where he ran against another cart, and the phaeton was literally smashed to pieces. Praiseworthy assistance was immediately rendered by a porter named Gattrell, who secured the frightened animal and prevented it from doing further mischief.

Notes

1. Mr Seth Neale – Identified as a coachbuilder (maker and repairer of carriages) from Whiteman’s Green, an area near Cuckfield.

2. Phaeton – A light, four-wheeled, open carriage, typically drawn by horses and used in the 18th–19th centuries.

3. Railway arch – Refers to the brick railway bridge/arch near the station, common in Victorian railway construction.

4. Station bell – Railway stations rang bells for signalling train arrivals or departures; the sudden sound likely startled the horse.