The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1905-01-23
AN ORMOND
TRAGEDY
Frank Croker Killed on the
Beach Auto Course.
CAR hit MOTOR CYCLE
Croker's Driver Instantly Killed
and Cyclist Had Both
Legs Broken.
CAR HIT MOTOR CYCLE

ORMOND, Fla, Jan 23.-0rank II.
Croker of New York. son of Richard
Croker the former Tammany chief
tain, an enthusiastic and fearless auto
list who has shown his daring in auto
mobile racing on road and track, lies
dead at this place He died soon after
midnight from the effects of the in
juries received in an automobile acct
dent on the Sea Beach race track. His
mother and sister arrived on a special
train today. His driver, Victor Rauel
of New York was killed instantly.
NJ. F. Stanley, visitor here, propel-
ling a motor cycle, which caused the
accident, had both legs broken. Gro
kers seyenty-tive horsepower Simplex
rolled over and down the sand into the
ocean, and when 1t stopped II was half
submerged in water. Had Croker not
been pulled out from under the car he
would probably have drowned.
The upset occurred about two miles
this side of Ormond. Croker was
speeding his car northward, driving
himself, when he saw, far ahead, the
man propeling the motor cycle. Gro.
ker tried to turn out, but the cycllst
finally shot sideways to the right. d.
rectly in front Of the automobile. Gro
ker made mighty effort TO turn, but
at that moment the damp sand gripped
his wheel, wrenching one of the tires,
and the car turned sharply and then
Topped sideways, turning over until it
reached foot deep water.
Mr.. Croker was found to have one
leg broken near the thigh. the other
leg injured and his arm broken. He
had deep cut and confusion on the
forehead, and blood was flowing from
his ears. He was unconscious for about
ten minutes. Finally, when a bystand-
er rolled back his eyelids, he spoke
and gradually revived. There were also
internal injuries found.
Rauel, the driver, had ceased to
breathe when his body was pulled out
of the Atlantic. The cyclist, whose
iNEN NNlt biOhtIl, WAS lUktu III IL car
rage and speedily driven off.
Cookers body was bruised all over
in spots. The automobile still lies in
the ocean and is being viewed by
crowd in the bright moonlight.
The accident is likely to cause the
government to exercise Jurisdiction
over the beach. The city has assumed
control. but legally has no control
above high water mark. President
Peck of the Florida East Coast Auto
mobile association said he was salts
fled that soft spot of sand, gripping
the tire, threw the car over.
Croker was one of the most daring
amateur automobilists in the country.
and has his motor boat here. intend
ing to enter the Palm Beach boat races
week after next. He made his first
important appearance in the Vanderbilt
cup races last October. At the Empire
City track last fall he won the world
amateur records from ten to twelve
miles, when he was forced to slow
down, He was also interested in golf.
dogs and horses.
Mr.. Croker's death came as stun
ming blow to his friends here. for 1t
was reported by his physicians that he
was doing fairly well and that they
hoped for the best.
From the first Or. Parks and DR..
Miller realized that Mr.. Cookers in
juries were very severe and the shock
great 1t was evidently from the eff
fects Of the tremendous shock that he
died.
An examination of Cookers racer
disclosed most complete wreck.