The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-20
CAR TOPPLED OYER
Peculiar Accident to a
Trailer on the North
Hudson County
Line.
P0LICEMAN's ARM BROKEN
While D sending the Summit Ave
nue. Tunnel the Axle Broke
Lively Scare.
D0LICEMAN'S ARM BROKEN

The axle of a trailer attached to a
North Hudson County trolley car coli
lapsed on the curve at the head of Ninth
street at ten minutes before seven clock
this morning
The trolley car struck the curve at
such high rate of speed that before
the motorman could check his car the
trailer was overturned and dragged fifty
yards. The coupling pin broke and the
car rolled over in the swamp beside the
track
Policeman John O'Donnell of the Oak
land, avenue station house: George Hiney.
of No. so Court House place, and the
conductor of the trailer, were injured
O'Donnells left arm was broken. his
collar bone fractured besides maintaining
painful scalp wounds. Hiney and the con-
ductor escaped with a few scratches
caused by flying glass.
In reaching the lower section of the
city the Summit avenue cars follow,
steep and circuitous route from Palisade
avenue. finally striking Ninth street after
turning sharp curve under the trestle
of the West Shoree Railroad. The tracks
this morning were slippery, the track
walkers of the company having failed
to take the precaution to sand them.
When the trolley car with the trailer
attached started from Palisade avenue
Motorman James Kiernan turned on the
full current and in a second the cars
came tearing down the hill at a terrific
rate of speed. At the first curve he
made an effort to check the car, but
found to his amazement that the applica-
effect.
The momentum increased until the
alarmed and shouted to the motorman
to reverse the lever. He forced down
the brake as far as possible as the curve
under the tunnel was approached
On the rear platform OF che trailer
stood Policeman O'Donnell apparently
unaware of the impending danger. There
were two passengers in the trailer and
they, noticing the alarm of the passen-
gers in the trolley, made break for
the rear platform. They had reached the
door when the axle broke. The next
instant the trolley car struck the curve
and rounded it in safety, while the trail
over.
Policeman ODonnell was thrown with
terrific force against the stone abutment
of the. trestle sustaining the injuries de-
scribed. The, side of the car struck a
projecting rock and windows and frames
We're torn out in a iiffy. The conductor,
Mr.. Hiney and a second passenger, whose
scrambling about in. a lively. manner to
escape when suddenly the jolting stopped
and the trailer rolled over in the swamp.
In the trolley car there were two
ladies. Of course they screamed.
ear managed to quiet them. The con-
ductor of the trailer reported the ac-
cident at the companys office as soon
as practicable, and the wrecked car was
soon taken away.
Policeman OiDonnell went to his home,
at No. 274 Ninth street. as did also
Mr.. Hiney. The, trolley car continued to
the. ferry as though nothing unusual
had. happened The passengers were all
badly frightened and propose appealing
to the company to equip the cars with
brakes which will be of sufficient
strength to enable the motormen to con-
troll them.
Passengers on the Summit avenue line
have had many thrilling adventures on
the Hill, Cars frequently become un-
manaageahle mana 1,le and go down at break-neck
use there was patent brake in the he
centre of the car which eclasped rail
raised in the middle of the track. This
prevented accidents. The trolley cars
are ar not protected in this manner, the
men have to depend upon.