Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-17
DISASTER ON THE RAIL.
Rear-end Collision in Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Tunnel in Philadelphia.
ENGINEER AND FIREMAN KILLED
Five Tramps Probably In the
Burning Wreckage.
MANY FIREFIGHTERS SEVERELY HURT

Philsdelphia, Pa, May 12. 10a. m.-
Frank Lantel, tower operator in the
employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
road Co. stationed at the entrance Of
the tunnel under Twenty fifth street.
just outside of Fairmount Park, slept
at his post. As result, a disastrous
rear lend freight collision occurred early
this morning in the tunnel, causing
the death of Engineer George Loeb and
Fireman George Hinchman and, 1t is
believed, five tramps, who we're stealing
ride. Fire followed the wreck, and
dozen or more ,firemen were injured
while fighting the flames. All of the
dead are still buried in the wreckage.
and the Fire Department has been un-
able thus far to extinguish the flames,
which are slowly consuming the
smashed cars. Operator lantel has dis
appeared, and the police are looking for
him.
The accident occurred shortly after.
midnight. The neighborhood OF the
tunnel, early today, was the scene of
wild excitement. No one would ap-
proach nearer than within 200 feet Of
either opening, owing to the volume of
flame and smoke which issued there
from. The fast New York bound ex-
press freight train OF 3S cars reached
the tunnel on time, and slowed down,
SO that some of the cars could be
shifted. The second section of the same
about 10 minutes later. 1t was Tower
man Lantel's duty to signal the second
section that the first had stopped in
the tunnel. This, Lantel did not do,
having, it is said. fallen asleep. The
second section approached the tunnel at
rapid rate Of speed, and crashed with
full force into the first section. Engineer
Loeb and Fireman Hinohman of the
second section were Immediately
crushed to death, and the cars, piled
in heap, began to burn. Four oil
cars exploded, adding to the horror of
the situation, and feeding the flames.
At this hour, firemen are still ut work
endeavoring to extinguish the blaze
No attempt has yet been made to secur
the bodies of the dead. The loss to the
company is estimated at s140, 0C0,
Each of the oil cars contained about
1900 gallons of the fluid, and the
burning oil spread with great rapidity
to the other cars. The point where
the collision occurred is about midway
in the tunnel. The latter is about 2.s0c
| feet long, and extends along Twenty
IIbu Str56b 10 bue blSb VI TalrilOuut
Park, close to the famous Washington
monument at the Green street park
entrance. 4
11.3O a. m.-The 6remen are ex-
periencing the greatest difficulty in
| fighting the fire. Dense volumes OF
smoke pour frcm both ends OF the
tunnel, and from holes which have
been cut from the street through the
roof, and the firemen can penetrate but
short distance before they are forced
to return. Several attempts have been
made to reach the spot where tho
bodies are believed to be located, but
without success, and it is the opinion
that they have been burned beyond
hope of being identified.
Day Watchman George j. Robertson
is authority for the statement that
Operator Lantel was asleep at his Eost.
| 2 ,. m.-The four firemen most seri
4 ously injured are: John Jordan, inhal-
ing gas, may die: John Alderman,
badly burned about hands and face,
and internal injuries; Joseph Davis,
seriously burned by blazing oil; Charles
Rau, badly burned about the face and
body. Twenty additional fremen have
been treated for minor injuries.