From the Kentish Gazette, 30 May 1843.

Extraordinary Accident.

An accident of a most singular and fearful nature occurred on Wednesday night at the terminus of the railway, Greenwich. It appears that Mr. George Guillen, landlord of the "Rising Sun," Park-row, Greenwich, was returning by the last train from London, about 10 o'clock, and was descending a flight of stone steps leading from the station into the street, and when within five stairs from the bottom, he missed his footing, and falling forward upon another flight of steps (used by the passengers in each alternate train), one of which being very sharp at the edge absolutely cut his nose from his face, leaving it hinging only by a bit of skin. The unfortunate man was quite insensible, and bled profusely. Assistance was immediately afforded by the railway officers. His nose having been placed in its proper position, and secured by a silk handkerchief, he was carried by police serjeant Good and several of the company’s officers to the surgery of Mr. Bowen, Bexley-place, Greenwich, who immediately, with is assistant, proceeded to sew that organ on again. Mr. Bowen accomplished his task in about an hour, the continued loss of blood rendering the operation one of great difficulty the effusion of which at one time was so great that it was much feared the patient would sink under it. Mr. Bowen says it was the most extraordinary wound he ever saw, there being an extensive laceration of the muscles of the face, extending underneath both eyes (which fortunately escaped injury), completely dividing the nose from the face, which lay hanging suspended by the skin below the chin, the whole cavity of the mouth being exposed, and the bones of the root of the nose completely smashed and exposed. About two hours after the operation he was removed home in a carriage, where he lies in a precarious state. The surgeon says had it been a very little higher up, fatal consequences would have ensued. The injury has affected his speech, and his powers of mastication are suspended. It was some time before Mr. Guillen came to his senses, and when he did, his first exclamation was— "That he should never be a man again."