Newspaper Extracts
Great Cricket match, and dreadful accident
August 27th 1822The great cricket match between 15 Sheffield and 11 Nottingham players, for which great preparations have latterly been making on the new ground at Darnall, near this place, commenced yesterday forenoon. The contest having excited a peculiar interest in and around the town, the concourse of spectators was proportionately great; never, perhaps, on any occasion, was witnessed an assemblage at once so numerous and respectable. Sheffield seemed almost to pour out the whole of its population, and roads being literally covered all the morning with crowds hastening to the scene of the expected enjoyment. Little was it then suspected, that before the expiration of the day the pleasure was to be dashed by one of the most afflicting accidents that we have had to record for some time back.
The playing commenced; the weather, with the exception of one shower, was highly favourable, and all went well till about four o'clock, when a large extent of scaffolding, which had been fitted up on the ground near the road side, for the accommodation of several thousands of spectators, having nine tier of seats, and being near 40 yards long, suddenly gave way, and precipitated it’s unfortunate tenants one over the other on the ground. Shrieks, screams, and groans rent the air on all sides; and the scene of confusion which ensued was indescribably affecting. Every hand was instantly engaged in extricating the sufferers; every possible accommodation offered, and every vehicle put in requisition to convey them away to their respective homes. It is with painful feelings that we have to add, that two persons were killed upon the spot, and between 40 and 50 more or less maimed. We dare not vouch for our correctness, although we have endeavoured to gain the best information we were able; but amidst so much distressing confusion, the extent of the mischief cannot with accuracy be yet ascertained, and even the names of the parties we could not procure. Late last night 23 cases had been admitted to the Infirmary, four or five of which were pronounced very dangerous.
Sheffield Advertiser, Aug. 27.
The accident at Darnall - In our relation of this sad calamity last week we mentioned that two persons were said to have lost their lives; we are glad to find that the statement was not founded in fact, and we have now the satisfaction to make a much more favourable report.
Seventeen persons were admitted into the Infirmary (several of whom were able to return to their respective homes the next day); 6 were made out-patients, and returned home after being dressed, etc., making 23 in the whole - 19 males and 4 females.
We are happy further to state, from undoubted authority, that the more serious cases are going on very favourably, and that all the other will most probably soon recover from the injuries received.
On the day following the accident many were bold enough to mount the scaffolding again: and the consequence of such temerity was, what might have easily been predicted - another accident. Some wretch was base enough to raise the false alarm, and in the scuffle and hurry of escape, one man had his leg fractured.
Sheffield Iris
