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Lurgan Coat of Arms The Armagh Guardian

8 June, 1872  

LURGAN STEEPLECHASE ACCIDENT

On April 1, the annual Lurgan steeplechase took place near the town Considerable gloom was cast over the day's proceedings by an accident of a very serious character Suddenly those upon the Grand Stand heard the creaking and crashing of breaking timber, and the general impression was that the structure was going down Some persons jumped off, and others pushed towards what was considered by them to be the safest corner, when two or three gentlemen in front, who had kept their presence of mind, ordered all to stand still By this means the panic was aliased At the same moment, however the minor stand came down with one shock and 100 or 200 people were shrieking and struggling on the ground among the timbers of which the stand had been composed.

Medical assistance was at once sent for, and soon it was discovered that between twenty five and thirty people had received contusions including eight or nine fractures of the leg or arms The wounded, having been extricated from the débris were placed on stretchers and cars and spring-carts for removal to town The moment the races were over, Lord Lurgan, accompanied by his agent, Mr John Handcock, J P, visited nearly every one of the injured persons, and kindly inquired if he could procure them any further assistance Mr Wilkinson stationmaster of Lurgan is seriously injured about the head and internally, and but little hope of his recovery is entertained. The next worst case is that of a young girl named Tighe. She is suffering from a compound fracture of the leg the thigh bone protruding. The committee of the races had no control over the stand that fell, which was outside the course.

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