The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-24
SCORE INJURED IN
CRASH ON ELEVATED
MOtOrInan Of One Train Dis
regards Set Signal on the
Harlem Drawbridge.
CAR ROLLS on IT'S SIDE
Hundreds Dare Third Rail
Peril in Walk to Safety
Traffic Is Blocked.

A score OF persons were injured. four
so painfully that they were taken to the
Harlem Hospital for treatment. when a
northbound Third avenue elevated train
crashed into a southbound Second ave-
nue. train at the Manhattan end OF the
drawbridge at l2eth street and Second
avenue yesterday afternoon. one OF the
seven wooden cars that composed the
train which was struck was thrown from
its trucks and toppcd over on its side
on the bridge end.
The accident. according to statement
made 10y Frank Hedley. general man
/ ager OF the Interborough Rapid Transit
Company. who was on the scene short
time after the collision, was caused by
the motorman of the Third avenue train
running by block signal set to warn
him that the other train was about to
cross his track.
At the entrance to the Harlem draw
bridge both the Third and Second ave-
nue. lines converge to cross over into
The Bronx. The Third avenue train had
stopped ut The station at l29th street.
bare hundred yards from tn" bridge,
just rs lnt SeConN avenue S'ulH-
bound from The Bronx. entered upon the
I draw. Albert NSebber. mOtorman, OF
/ :237 Bathgate avenue. The Bronx
started his train out from the station
| although. according TO the testimony
given. the switchman at the tower a
few yards ahead OF him had set tn"
s.maphore at stop. ln order for him
! TO enter on the uorthbound bridge tracks
/ It was necessary TO cross the souihbound
! tracks on which the Second avenue train
was approaching.
Too Late to stop Train.
The two came together at the inter-
section Daniel Casey, motorman. Of
! 1894 Lexington avenue. in charge of the
sou,hbound train. saw Webber driving
do~n ON him too late to stop short lie
passed safely by IN tho first car. hut
the second hit the crossing Just as tho
Third avenue train arrived. I, was
struck suuarcly. side wiped off th"
switch and thrown over on its side.
owing to the fact that both trains
were going slowly the damag" WAS con-
fined almost entirely to the one ear. The
front platform Of the Third avenue
trains leader was smashed. hut Wehhor
WAS uninjured at his seat. The jolt
threw the passengers about like uiu'-
pins. and many received minor bruises
and scratches. especially those on : e
rorthbou' j train which was ,ruwd''d
with passengers bound for BrouN Park.
The Second Avenue train WAS Lightly
loaded. Tn. passengers in the ear wdich
was struck were hurled from ;hcr seats
into Tho Cokon glass ~ the windows uu
the lower ,!dc. Those IN ih, o:heG cars
climbed out nn the bridge. risjing ,hc
third rail tu reach the platform Being
the second IN the line 1t had un n I'd
rail connection 20 cause short c.rcui;
and start blaze.
Police Rrsrrses Gated.
Policeman kcctN Of the East l26jl
strcet station was on duty at Second ave
nuc and i2Sih street. a., head The
crash and SEM IN u c,ll fO ;wo am
hulanccs from Harlem Hospl. al The in
jured were carried from the smashed car
Into the one head. where brS. Jennings
and tuger treated them, -Four were >,
badly hurt that they were taken ava.
In the ambulauces. They were:
Ms dorothy Graham, -. OF ~ Eas,
lAist street. The Bronx. Injuries to the
lef, leg and laccIations Of ;he face and
bruises.
John Graham, -. her husband. q
plumber Injuries to the left arm and
decorations Of the left hand,
Miss Loretta Graham, -, a sister. ol
i1i st Nicholas avenue. Fractured left
wrist and bruises.
Hymun E,innnskN, IS of aOi tas
l36ta street an operator, Spraincd
ankle and possibl" interna injuries
All bu; Ermansky were sent home las
evening. Abou, sixteen others were
treated on the spot and went home.
The reserves from the Easl l2stt
street station. as we'll as from the IVES
i33th street and the East ioith stree
station were called out. with Chief In
spcctor Schmlitberger in charge. Theil
principal work was 10 keen the passen
gers from the dangerous third rail. Those
~ the Third avenue train were able I,
reach the station platform direct from
the rear Of the train, but the Others
had to tax. the more pcrilous route,
The accidcn; blocked traffic FOR almos
an hour Trains on both tracks wcr,
held up in solid lines extending more thar
a mile Many OF the impatient traveller
climbed out and walked the footpaths {,
the nearest stations. At the end OF AZ
hour the upper level. used by the expres
tmns Oh week days, was thrown opei
and the trains were sent through over
, head
Webbe- was not arrested, AcCOrdin,
to Mr. Hcdley he has been in the com
pany's employ for thirty years and wa
formerly a locomotive engineer