Page:Account of the dreadful accident and great loss of lives which occurred at Kirkcaldy, on Sunday the 15th June, 1828.pdf/6

6 was, that the friends of individuals, fathers and mothers who had children, or aged and helpless relatives in the church, some of whom were known to have fallen down, made anxious exertions for their safety, by endeavouring, though in vain, to stem the human torrent that was rolling over them. The temporary stoppages which these fruitless efforts occasioned, only rendered the multitude behind more desperate, and more determined to force their way out, and their power was resistless—most of those who fell, fell to rise no more.

Many escaped through the windows, which are nearly all broken; and from those on the gallery stairs, which were broken open by the beadle from the outside, part of the crowd rolled out, and were dragged from beneath to prevent others falling above them. Here also several accidents took place, some of them severe. It is remarkable, that many, who have escaped with no injury, have no recollection whatever of what took place, or how they escaped. It would seem, that the terrors of the scene had for a time estranged their mental faculties; several were taken away actually deranged, and many still labour under a disturbed nervous excitement, which will take some time to subside.

Such persons as had sufficient fortitude to remain in their pews escaped unhurt. Several who were under the gallery when it fell, prostrated themselves in the pews, and also sustained no injury.—Many reached the open air in a state approaching to nakedness their clothes being literally torn off them.