From The Ashbourne News Telegraph 18th December 12 1908
A terrible fatality occurred on Monday morning last at the Furness Vale Station of the London and North Western Railway Company, mid-way between New Mills and Whaley Bridge. The victim was Sidney Allen, a native of Tissington, who during the previous week was in charge at Furness Vale in the absence of Mr Green, the Station Master, and had begun the second and last week of his duties there. Allen was crossing the line,where there is a level crossing, when he was knocked down by the express which leaves Buxton at 9-5 for Manchester, and was killed on the spot.
Mr Allen, who was asingle man of not quite 21 years of age, commenced as a porter at Alsop-en-le-Dale Station, under Mr Cope (now stationmaster at Tissington) and was engaged there for upwards of three years. Since leaving Alsop about 15 months ago he had been at Weaste, Furness Vale and Ordsall Lane in succession, and as already stated had returned to Furness Vale for a fortnight on relief duty. Mr Allen was a very steady and trustworthy servant of the company, and the fact that he had risen so rapidly gave every promise of his attaining a high position in the service. He was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact, and great regret is felt that such a promising career should have been so tragically ended.
The funeral took place on Thursday at Tissington amid many signs of sympathy with the bereaved relatives.
Alsop Le Dale was on the line between Buxton and Ashbourne, Tissington was the next station. The line through sparsely populated country was little used and trains few and far between. As a young porter, Allen wouldn't have been kept very busy. The line closed in 1954.
The level crossing at Furness Vale had been the scene of a number of accidents and it was for that reason that the footbridge was eventually provided.
