Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-03-05
|. GEORGE
Disastrous Accident on the Erie Rail-
road.

Yesterday morning a terrible accident occur
red on the New York and Erie Railroad, about
two miles west of Equimuk. The train, consist
ing of baggage and four passenger cars, were
passing a sharp bend in the road at the rate of
twenty miles an hour, when the cars were thrown
of the track by the breaking of a rail. One of
the cars becamC detached from the train and fell
down an embankment into the Delaware river
which was filled with floating ice.
The situation OF twenty or thirty persons who
were in the car was frightful in the extreme, as
they were so entirely separated from their fellow
passengers that they could render them 10 i'm
mediate assistance. One half the car was sub.
merged in the water, and its nearest end % feet
from the shore Some two or three had got out
on the roof, while others thrust their arms
through the windows and called to those on the
shore for help. Several planks and boards were
found lying on The shore, and with these il was
cndcavored to establish communication between
the car and the land, but unfortunately all of them
were too short
Further search however was attended with
better succcss-a long trunk of hcmlock tree
was found and showed through one of the win
doWs, one end of il resting firmly on the bank of
the river. Over this artificial bridge several
were able to walk while others who were too
veal: were carried, and in this way saved. Such
as could not get out Of the car by the window
were taken out through holes cut into the roof
Many, when taken out, were insensible from the
effects of the cold, but afterwards recovered.
The scene, as described by passenger, was
most hoarlrcnding. One young girl, when res
cued, imPlored, that instant help might be given
TO her mother who was still in the car; a hus-
baal PRAYED that bis wife might be saved friend
struggling 10 save friend, although very little as
slsiaucc could be rendered by those who had been
rescued from the half submerged car Several
were tSostJ'ten, and the garments and hair of
The ladies' were frozen ; soon as they were talk
en- out of the water, and one man named HYATT
was frozen to death. Two or three persons were
missing, bat as they could not be found at The
momontit was deemed advisable to put the suf-
.erers in the other cars and have them conveyed
q IN" nearest stopping place
Sum' O. taa passengers on the other cars were
injured, bat none seriously. The conductor Of
the train, who was on the outside at the time Of
The accident was, With one of tie passengers.
brown iu.o die r,y on cake Office, upon they
tl0lto! cons! lcrabl distance before thew could
to rescued. \ small boat was sent out to their
relief, and iv the aid OF plank, which used for
au our they wcr, landed III safety about mile
from the seono Of the accident. Everything was
thrown info confusion in the cars, Immediately
at.er tie rs.l broke; the fire in the stoves was
thrown about among the passengers, burning
and inlGrnE several.
Some Lonrs after the accident thorough
search was made in the car, when the dead bod
les of two mon, whose names We could not as
certain, were found lying in the water. \ brake
man was severely, but not seriously injured.
Another account attributes the accident to the
breahug Of the axle of the last car, by which it