New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-04
TIE-UP IN NEW. TUBE
accident at Flatbush 4rfnuc Stalls
Cars Beneath Ricer.

While passing over the switches about two
thirds Of the distance from the Nevins street
station TO the station at Atlantic avenue. the
last car OF a seven-car subway train went off the
rails in the Brooklyn subway at about 6 o'clock
last night. The train arried MANY men. women
and children. many of whom were taking their
first ride in the portion of the tube which was
opened on Friday.
In crossing the switches. the rear truck of the
car jumped the rails and began to bump along
the ties. while flashes flew up from the contact
rail The motorman brought the train, which
was moving at a reduced rate Of speed. to a
sudden halt. The passengers in the forward
cars. as well those the last car. were
hurled to the floor but no one was injured. The
train was brought to a standst. just as the
car>crashed against a pillar. Little harm was
done To its steel sides.
There were comparatively few persons in the
last car, and they made a stampede for the
doorway Some got out, but most were held in
pF the conductor. As soon the alarm reached
tn" Atlantic avenue station, where the super
intendent has his Office. the current was cut off
from the tube and the lights were shut off as
far as the Battery. The power was turned on
again a few moments later. when it was seen
that the car that left the track not resting
on the contact rail.
BY The time the superintendent reached the
scene OF the accident with corps of workmen
the panic IN the cars had subsided. He ordered
that the passengers he permitted to leave the
of-track for the cars ahead and then had
the six ears detached and sent on to the At
lantic avenue station, where the passengers
got off.
II was -cported that couple Of womcn tainted
and that they were restored to consciousness by
physicians. This rumor could not be verified
and no call made upon either the police or
the hospitals. In fact. the only way the police
learned Of the trouble was through a small boy,
who informed officer with whom he is ac-
quaint at Police Headquarters.
TRAINS STALLED IN TURE
News Of the accident was telephoned to the
train dispatcher in Manhattan, and the power
turned off the third rail from Bowling Green
Atlantic avenue. Two seven-car trains con-
tanning three OF four hundred passengers. We're
stalled in the tube under the river. The lights
in the cars went out when the current was shut
Of. The lights along the sides Of the tunnel.
however. being a separate circuit, were still
on. and although there was some excitement
among the passengers there was no approach to
a panic.
1t was nearly quarter of hour before the
trains stalled in other parts Of the tube were
able 10 proceed. 4 train that was above the
Hoyt street station was able to take its pas
sengers there and was then put on siding
The officials then returned TO the old plan Of
sending back the trains from Manhattan by
means of the switch just beyond the Borough
Hall station
A great croa.d gathered at the Borough Han
station and two hundred or more persons were
shut out by the officials. Many who had de-
scended into the Hoyt street station received
slips which permitted them TO into the Bor-
ough Hall station soon as the cars
ming again. The officials at the Nevins street
and Atlantic avenue stations sent the crowds
down 10 the Borough He'll to take trains.
TROUBLE WITH PASSENGERS
Those who gathered at the Borough Hall sta
tion were extremely nervous, and the officials
had trouble in getting the women and children
stand back from the edge Of the platform
when the trains arrived. Many of the men who
familiar with the car lines of Brooklyn left
the Borough Hall on Manhattan bound cars bat
a larger number appeared 70 doubt that Brook
lyn had any means other than the ube TO get
beyond the river and stuck till traffic was re-
sumed. Many even walked the mile downtown
from the Atlantic avenue station. they we're
instructed do by the subway officials. These
were persons who had gone over 70 BROOKLYN -
visit the newly opened portion Of the tube
General Manager Hedley, in a statement, said
that Borough Hall station would be used as a
terminus for all Brooklyn trains until this morn
ing.
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