The evening world., 1890-03-19
HISLEGS TORN Off
Shocking Accident in the Grand Gen.
tral Depot Yards
Fireman Whitehead Mang,ed by
COlIiding Engines.
Fireman McGovern Also Badly
Hurt, but Not Fatally.

A frightful accident occurred in the
Grand Central Depot yards at 0 o'clock
this morning. and one man. 1t is ex.
pected, will lose his life and another is
confined to his bed suffering with severe
injuries.
The man who was so badly hurt had
both legs torn OF just below the knee.
The collision was between switching
engines aud 10, and was due to the
binding snowstorm. which prevented the
engineers from seeing their danger. The
engines crashed together at n point
opposite the sigual tower and near Forty
sixth street.
John Whitehead, Of 1863 Ninth avenue.
who was n fireman ON Engine No. 3. is
the most severely injured. When the
collision came he was standing on the
rear of his engine, and the shock drove
the caboose up over the engine.
Both OF his legs were torn off in shreds
below the knees, and Whitehead, when
found hy his companions, who had
rushed to the spot, was torn and bleed
ing mass of flesh.
He was transferred to Bellevue Hospi-
tai.
John McGovern, who was foreman on
Engine No. 10, was thrown against the
side of the cab and severely bruised. He
was removed to his home mt sos West
Forty-ninth street.
: Engine 10 was in charge of McGovern.
who was hauling two cars down to cross
to another track.
Whitehead's engine, No. 8, was going
north. Three cars were attached to 1t.
All were empty.
At point opposite the signal tower
there IS frog. across which both engines
had 10 pass.
The snow was falling in clouds, and
together with the heavy fog which hung
over the yard, those in charge had great
difficulty in seeing thor way.
Whitehead stood on the platform of his
engine. looking out through the storm
for signal. McGovern was engaged at
his engine. Neither saw his danger.
until suddenly there was a crash, the
coupling between the engine and cab
snapped. and the cab Of Engine jumped
the track and rested on the driver;
Great excitement ensued. Other en-
ginesrs who were in the vicinity gave the
alarm, and O crowd Of workmen sur
rounded the wreck.
They went to work with will to extri-
cate the unfortunate firemen from their
painful position.
An alarm was sent to the Twenty-th
sub-precinct station located in the depot
building. and ambulances were sum-
moned.
The engines were badly smashed and
the cars were considerably damaged
The platforms were demolished and the
iron ratings twisted and torn.
Whitehead laid In the snow for a few
minutes until stretcher could be pro-
cured.
He was unable to speak when carried to
the station house, and was sent imme-
diately to the hospital.
McGovern's injuries are but slight
when compared with those received by
Whitehead.
The regular business with the road was
not interfered with, and all trains left on
schedule time.
The employees of the Company are very
reticent regarding the accident. A Arumor
was current that Whitehead had died
from his injuries.
" have nothing to say regarding the
accident just at present." said Train
Dispatcher Franklyn.
The officials of the Compnny will
make a rigid examination 10 ascertain if
possible where the fault. if there was any.
lies.
- Travel WAS not impeded in any way
and all trains have lett on time. The
heavy snow undoubtedly had n great deal
to do with the mishap. Both engines were
going comparatively slow at the time, or
the result might have been worse.
Outside of the two unfortunates who
were caught the damage is but slight"