James George Peck, a plasterer, of 38, Hudson's-road, Kingston, who was conveyed to the Surbiton Cottage Hospital, thus narrates his experiences: I was in one of the compartments close to the guard's van in the fore part of the train, and just as our carriage reached the middle of the bridge at the entrance to the station, I heard a loud crash. Walter Mumford and a young lady were in the same compartment as I was. Immediately I heard the crash I received a very severe blow on my head, but it did not make me unconscious; and my legs were both hurt, though I did not then know that they were broken. It was a piece of wood from the roof of the carriage which struck me on the head. I saw the sides of the compartment and the seats being crushed together, and seeing daylight above I made a jump clean through the top. I slipped down the side of the train on to the footboard, when I heard the young-girl inside scream, and I also heard Mumford call "George," but I was unable to help him. I ran along on the line by the side of the bridge but the wires threw me down, and I saw the bone sticking out of my leg. I got up and hopped along upon the other leg to the platform, and George Whenman and some gentlemen then lifted me up and carried me into the waiting room. The screams of the people were awful. When in the room three doctors set my leg, and it was put right again when I was brought here. Three policemen brought me to the Cottage Hospital on the ambulance at about two o'clock in the morning. My right leg is badly fractured, but my left leg is not so bad. The cut on my head is a long one, and it was sewn up here. I reckon I was the first one out of the train, and if I had not jumped out at the top I should have been jammed in between the two sides of the compartment. The whistle of the train was blowing from the ballast hole right up to the station. I was quite sensible all the time-as much awake as I am now. I am very comfortable here.
Dr. Owen Coleman, under whom Peck is being treated at the hospital, gives the following account of the state of his patient: It is a very bad Case; indeed, it is one of the worst cases. He has a compound fracture of the right leg, a simple fracture of the left leg, severe lacerated wound on the scalp, injury to the right shoulder, and several contusions. He is perfectly himself, and quite cheerful and hopeful, but, as I have said, the case is a bad one, and he is not out of danger yet.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 11th August 1888- see report in original format.