The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-28
ON The CONSOLIDATED.
Three Trains Came Together in
New Haven.
THE PASSENGERS ALL ESCAPED.
Wreck ON the Passumpic Division of the
Boston and Maine I'm Which Three
Lives Were Lost-It Was Caused by
Conductors Mistake.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, Feb. 2s.-The
worst accident that has happened on the
Consolidated road in this vicinity in sew
eral years, occurred about five O'Clock yes
terday afternoon in the "cut" between
Court street and Grand avenue.
In less than two minutes three trains
came together, completely blocking the
cut with an indescribGble mass OF wreck
age. Locomotives, cars and merchandise
were piled almost to the height OF the
street, which Is about 10 feet at this
point. The tracks OF the Northampton
division enter the cut about 100 yards
above the scene OF the accident At this
point the tracks OF the three divisions run
parallel.
How It Occurred.
The regular through freight from
Northampton, due here at 4.45, was 10
minutes late. This train was in charge of
Conductors Deskin and Baker. Closely
following this was an extra freight, haul
ing ties. When the extra freight entered
the cut no danger signal was shown and
the train went ahead.
Suddenly Engineer Allen saw the dan
ger flag, and a moment later the rear end
otthe regular freight only 80 feet ahead.
The engine was instantly reversed, but
too late, and in a moment more the trains
coliided with terrific crash that shook
the neighboring buildings like an earth
quake. The rear cars OF the freight were
thrown squarely acroas the track, block
ing all tracks. Engineer Allen stayed by
his machine, but Fireman Frost was
thrown On the Shore Line tracks.
Almost before Frost could realize his
perilous position the Shore Line through
express came dashing along at 31-mile
gait. Fortunately for Frost he was en-
abled to roll over, just In time to escape
being cut in two. A second later the ex-
press ran into the already huge pile OF
wreckage, iamming and wedging cars and
engines into a chaotic mass.
Engineer Daniel Knowles of the express
saw the wreck ahead of him, but could
not stop in time to prevent the collision.
Both he and Fireman Charles Bedell stood
bravely by their engine. Engineer
Knowles escaped uninjured, but the fire.
man was not so fortunate. He was
crushed by the falling cab. His left hip
was fractured, his left leg broken and he
received internal injuries which are sup
po-ed to be fatal.
Passengers Escape.
The passengers ,.ore vloieavly thrown
about, scene of great excitement follow
ing, but no one was injured in the pas
senger coaches. Ii is considered most
marvellous that greater list OF casualties
Is not presented. AZ one time an excited
on-loolSer started the cry that one of the
engines was about to explode and perhaps
there was some ground for this fear.
Some train hands, however, soon pre-
vented further danger in that direction
by putting out the fire with pals OF
water.
The tracks Of all divisions were blocked
until about O'Clock last night. At that
hour all were clear but the Mort hampton
division.
An investigation into the cause of the
wreck will be made shortly. At the depot
last night railroad officials said that the
trouble was owing TO the unexpected
standstill of the local freight and the
slippery rails, which would not allow the
brakes OF either the tie train or the
express to be effectual in short dis
tence.