New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-24
Freight Train Runs Into Un.
guarded Passenger Car at
Canaan, Conn.,, and StreWs
Wreckage Over Tracks.
WOMAN EXPECTED TO DIE
Another May Not Survive
Man Catches Baby Thrown
by Mother - Examiner
Says Carelessness
Was to Blame.
TBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune. I

Gals OF the New Haven railroad were
being grlled at to-day's session OF
the inquest to fix responsibility for the
fatal wreck at Stamford eleven days
ago. in which six persons were killed
and dozen others injured, combina-
ton passenger and milk train, stand
ing unprotected by fagmen or brake
men on a spur track in this town, was
crashed into by freight cars. Nine
passengers were injured, two Of whom
it is believed will die.
The injured:
Blake. Mrs. N. H., Of Cornwall Bridge;
leg injured.
Dwy, Mrs. James, Of Torrinston; in
juries to head and shoulder.
Fairfield A. r., Of Hartford; injury to
shoulder.
Lowere. Mrs. M. c., of Washington
Hollow, Clinton Corners, N. v; hurt
internally; condition critical.
Morrison, Mrs. George, Of Lime Rock;
bruises about body and nervous
shock
Oln, Mrs. Frank, aged eishty.six, Of
Falls Village; skull fractured; will
die.
sprasue, r; c. address not given; back
wrenched.
Stone, Napoleon, Of Rutland, W.; cuts
and bruises.
Wood, w. H., Of Granville, N. y; arm
injured.
So far as can be determined tonight
the cause of the wreck was solely the
failure of those in charge Of the stalled
train to provide even the meagre safe
guard of a hagman. The train had
been split TO run in an extra car, and
no one was left iA charge Of the de-
tached section.
When the additional car was shunt-
ed on its momentum started this sec
ton backward down a sharp grade and
straight into the path OF the oncoming
freight. which tore into tho wooden
coach with the force of an avalanche
Passengers in Wrecksge.
The rear coach, containing all the
passengers. was upset and dragged
some distance from its trucks.
Train crew and station mon strug-
gled 10 release the injured. while
emergency messages both ways on the
line gave notice OF the accident and
ordered physicians and wreckins trains
rushed TO the scene.
The wrecked train left Pittsiicld,
Mass. for New York by way of South
Norwalk. and arrived at this town
shortly after o'clock. II was split
while car was taken on from the fac
tory of the Borden Milk Company.
No brakemen were left in charge ~
that portion of the train which had
been detached and had been left stand
ing a short distance beyond the point
where the Central New England di-
vision tracks bisect the Pittsfield diyis-
ion tracks.
As the first section backed down from
where 1t had been loading milk 10 the
station II struck the passenger car
with such force that il kicked IL back
ward on to the Central New England
crossover. At that moment the switch
er backing down some freight cars
reached the intersection, and the rear
freight car struck the passenger coach,
smashing in the end. tossing il from
the tracks and overturning it.
Say Woman Cannot Live.
The passengers were thrown about in
great confusion. Mrs. Oln was taken
i'm an unconscious condition from the
car 10 the home Of Judge George Ford,
where she had been visiting. After
ward she was taken to her home, at
Falls Village. Doctors say she cannot
survive the night.
Mrs. Blake had year-old baby IN
her arms, and when the collision came
the child was thrown from her arms.
It was saved from injury by +. c.
Sprague. who caught it as ii fell In
doing so. however. he fell backward
against a seat and badly wrenched his
back
Immediately after the accident all ot
the available doctors were called to the
scene. and Judge Ford and a number
of other citizens crawled into the
wrecked car and assisted the passen-
gers out
Mrs. Lowerre is at local hotel. at
tended by her daughter. Physicians
cannot determine yet the extent of ner
injuries.
DR.. c. w. Camp, medical examiner.
began an investigation tonight as TO
the reason why no brakemen were left
with the detached section of the train.
In all probability the findings of the
investigation will be made the basis
of dn immediate demand for grand
jury action.
Examiner Makes Statement.
According TO statement by DR.
Camp shortly before midnight the ac-
cident was due solely 20 the unguard-
ed condition of the combination train.
The New Haven officials acre refused