Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-12
Awful Result of Towerman's Neglect
at Philadelphia Tunnel.
Two FREIGHT TRAINS WRECKED
Fire Breaks Out and Adds Terror
to the Situation.
SEVERAL F1REMEN INJURED

PHILADELPHIA. May 12.-Frank Lam
tel, a tower operator. in the employ of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, sta
toned at the entrance of the tunnel under
25th street, just outside of Fairmount Park,
slept at his post. AS a result a disastrous
rear-end freight collision occurred early
this morning in the tunnel, causing the
death Of Engineer George Loeb and Fire
man George Hinchman, and it is believed
five tramps who were stealing ride. Fire
followed the wreck and a dozen or more
iiremen were injured while fighting the
flames, and are now in the hospitals.
All Of the dead still buried in the
wreckage, and the fire department has been
unable thus far to extinguish the flames
which are slowly consuming the smashed
cars. Operator Lantei has disappeared, and
the police looking for him.
The accident occurred shortly after mid
night. The vicinity of the tunnel early to-
day was the scene Of wild excitement. No
one could approach nearer than within 2oo
feet of either opening, owing to the volume
of flame and smoke which issued there
from.
The fast New York bound express freight
train of thirty-eight cars reached the tun-
mel on time and slowed down SO that some
of the cars could be shifted. The second
section of the same train. composed of
thirty-nine cars, was due about ten min
utes later. 1t was Towerman Lantefs duty
to signal the second section that the first
had stopped in the tunnel. This 1.antel
did not do, having, 1t is said. fallen asleep.
The second section approached the tunnel
at a rapid rate of speed and crashed with
full force into the first section. Engineer
Loeb and Fireman Hinchman OF the second
section were Immediately crushed to death,
and the cars piled in an indiscriminate heap
began to burn. Four oil cars exploded, add
ing to the horror of the situation and feed
incr fhn fla firpmPn
still at work endeavoring to extinguish the
blaze. No attempt has yet been made to
secure the bodies of the dead The loss to
the company is estimated at $4,000.
-Four iremen most seriously injured are:
John Jordan, inhaling gas, may die.
John Ackerman, badly burned about
hands and face and internal injuries.
Joseph Davis, seriously burned by blaZ-
ing oil.
Charles Rau, badly burned about the face
and body.
Twenty additional firemen have been
treated for minor injuries.
Each of the oil cars contained about
1000 gallons of the fluid. and the burning
oil spread with great rapidity to the other
cars The point where the collision ,G,e oc-
Cured is about midway in the tunnel. The
latter is about twentyeight feet long and
extends along 2oth street to the edge of
Fairmont Park, close to the famous Wash
ington monument, at the Green street park
entrance. The firemen are experiencing
the greatest difficulty in fighting the fire
Dense volumes of smoke poured from both
ends of the tunnel and from holes which
had 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 the bodies are be-
lieved to be located, but without success.
and it Is the opinion that they have been
burned beyond hope of being identified.
Day Watchman George ]. Robertson is
authority for the statement that Operator
Lantel was asleep at his post.
Firemen Killed in Collision.
SCRANTON, Pa. May 12.-By collision
of freight trains on the Lackawanna rail-
road near this city shortly after midnight
William Eschenbach. a fireman of one of
the trains was killed. The two engineers
and other trainmen escaped unhurt The
wreckage was not cleared until late in the