Morris tribune., 1902-01-11
MET In A TUNNEL
DISASTROUS COLLISION or PAS.
sENGER TRAINS IN NEW
YORK CITY.
SEVERAL COACHES WRECK ED

% AEnhL OUhOE1EO tynEOttEp
Number Of Dead Placed at Seventeen
and the Injured at Forty, Twelve Sc
riousIy Passengers Graphically pc,
scribe the Underground Disaster and
the Heartrending Scenes Following,
Cause of the Accident Unknown.
/. + New York, Jan. 1.-Two local trains
bound for New York-one from South
NorWalk, the other from White Plains
crashed together in the 3smoke-cloud-
ed Park Avenue tunnel of the New
York Central line. Seventeen persons
were killed and 40 injured. OF the lat
ter II were seriously injured. The en-
glneer and fireman of the White
Plains local and towerman were ar
rested. District Attorney Jerome WIS.,
tied the wreck and will personally di-
rect an Investigation. The list of dead
follows: #
G.. Walton, New Rochelle; H. G.
Diamond, New Rochelle; Albert M.
Perrin, New Rochelle; H.HG. Thomas,
New York city; H. D. C. Foskett, New
Rochelle; William B. Lees, of B. Alt
man & Co., New York; H. Franklyn
Crosby, New Rochelle; Oscar E. Mey-
rowitz, New York city; Theodore For
gardo, New Rochelle; William Fisher,
New Rochelle; George Potter, New Ro-
chelle; Mrs. A. H. Howard, New Ro-
chelle; William Howard, New Ro-
chelle; E. G. Hinsdale, New Rochelle;
Charles B. Mars, New Rochelle;
George w. Simring, New Rochelle; F.
New Rochelle. r., ...~
The shock of the collision was plain
ly heard by people passing on Park
avenue above the tunnel. Several of
them ran to give the alarm. IN 10
everybody at police and fire
headquarters was at work organizing
relief to be sent to the spot.
From fire headquarters, a dozen
blocks away, hook and ladder truck
was rapidly dispatched to the scene
OF the accident, with several fire COM
pan1es. The reserves from East Fifty
first street and Grand Central police
stations were turned out on the run.
A hurry call was sent to Bellevue,
Flower, the Presbyterian and Roose-
welt hospitals, and in 10 minutes a doz-
en- an2hulances were huTrying with a
corps OF doctors. 81. .s,'..s v
When the rescuers reached the
wreck smoke was pouring out of the
entrance to the tunnel at Fifty-ffth
street and great columns OF smoke
came out Of the first venti1ator, half
block north. Anbulances came in
rem the east and west Ladders were \
put Gown from the street over. the iron 4
.ence to the track and the firenen, POI
icemen and surgeons were innnaedi- -!
ltely at work. It was very dark in the
Unnel, which was filed with smoke
md steam. The work of rescue was, /
therefore,, difficult. The locomotive Of (
he White Plains local was hidden in ]
he rear car Of the South Norwalk |
rain. The manned and wounded were |
ajling from the wreck. Some, more (
'adly wounded than others. were be- 4
ng assisted by the more fortunate pas
engers. aG@a. as.=Ig
Passengers Describe the Disaster.
In describing the disaster a passen-
er on the Harlem train said:
Our train was held at the Harlem
nd of the tunnel for two minutes to
How the New Haven train to pass.
hen we proceeded. Suddenly there
'as terrific crash and we were hurl-
d from our seats. The shock was fol-
'Wed by the roar OF escaping steam
nd the cries of the wounded.
"A score of men passengers got out :
the windows and ran to the front of
ur train. The confusion and noise
as awful. Our locomotive had plough
! half way through the last New Ha-
en- car. I saw several women taken
1T of the first wrecked car. ....s
Eugene Herold of Rochelle Park. !
ne OF the passengers on the Danbury
ain, gave this account of the acct
7nt:
1--WE were sitting quietly in the next
the last car and there were only one =
two unoccupied seats. There was
e usual morning crowd, the train
of five cars.
There were several women in my ;
r and also in the last car We had :
zen stalled at Fifty-seventh street for ),
me time. Suddenly there was ter !
ic crash. The lights in the car went =
1t. There was a roar of grinding
eel and wood and a chorus of shrieks. :,
looked back and saw, the car behind =
lescoping over the rear of our car
d through that mixup plunged a y
airing locomotive. .r.-.a y
II was thrown on my face by the :.
It and I felt some blood splash over s.
Y forehead. Sitting smoke and steam =
emed to rise all around and, looking :
OK, I could see mangled persons !,
awling about through the mist. Then .
ddenly the car took fire where the
'omotive was.
Our one idea was to escape. / r
ind friend of mine right in front Il
me. He cried. Open the windows,
: Gods saken turned to the win u
W and found the glass had been I,
altered by the collision, We climb y
out saw several persons almost q
1ered with bloed crawling about" .,
The response of the police and fire 4,
oartments to the call was prompt "
lry3&h 49, l.