New Britain herald., 1917-05-16
TRAIN BRUSHES THREE
 AT CLAYTON CROSSING
Hartford Bound ''Dinky' Runs Down Moving Van
 
 at Death Trap.

Their lives snufred out like candies. death being instantaneous. three were
 added to the heavy human toll of the New Haven" roads death-trap grade crossings shortly before o'clock yes- terday afternoon at the Clayton cross ing when an east-bound Bristol-IIart-- ford train struck O'Brien's automobile moving van Of the Capitol City and completely wrecked it. The. ;three occupants of the van. William Clark of Trumbull street, George Applebee and Henry Obert of John street, all Hartford residents, were dead before the train crew with passengers reached them. The automobile truck, returning home after delivering load of household goods in this city, was completely wrecked, the debris later catching fire and reducing the mass to a heap of twisted and shapeless metal. Following permission of Dr. Harry A. Elcock, medical examiner, the bodies were brought to this city. those of Clark and Applebee being taken to the morgue of M. J. Kenney & Co.,, at 351 Main street and that of Obert being taken in charge by B. O.. Porter Sons and removed to their morgue at 222 Main street.
 How the van with an experienced chauffeur at the wheel came to be on the crossing with the train SO near and making fast time will probably never be known. Engineer Charles Barnes of East Hartford was at the throttle and noted nothing suspicious as he neared the crossing. So quickly did the van shoot out directly in front of the locomotive that he had no time even to apply the emergency brakes. Passengers on the train state that the whistle was blown for the crossing at the regulation distance, that the train was not being driven at anaccustomedA speed and. although the crosaiug is unprotected by gates. the electric warning bells on either sids were ringing after the train had bean stopped. It is the theory that sncIosed in the van 70 thai hearing might be impaired and the vision of the driver shut off from the crossing by brick sheds on either side. the tragedy's victims had no warning of danger and never knew what happened.
 It was about 5:45 o'clock that police headquarters was notified of the accident by telephone. Detective Ser eeant Samuel Bamforth with Police men Frank R. Hahn, George E. El- finger and William Souney were r,lshed to the scene. Doctors J. L. Kelly and Joseph Walsh made emer- gency runs to the scene in response to the call for medical aid There was nothing that they couuld do. 1Dr. Elcock was notified as soon as the extent of the tragedy was known and gave permission for removing the bodies. It was found that the victims necks were fractured while there were bruises, lacerations. fractured bones and other injuries. The chests of the three were also caved in.
 Clark is supposed to have been at the steering wheel of the van and In charge of its operation. He was known as a skilled motor vehicle operator, It is estimated that the train was running at a speed ol about 40 miles an hour. The engine was found spattered with blood. Two bodies were found about 60 feet from the crossing while the third was located about 200 feet from the cross- ing and about where the train was stopped. It is believed his body was dragged by the locomotive. tsssf
 The wooden part of the truck was smashed into kindling wood and af- forwards caught fire. The body of the machine was thrown between 40 and 50 feet.
 Thomas J. O'Brien of 101 Hudson street, Hartford, was prostrated when informed of the accident, collapsed and had to be attended by a physician
 last night. He is at the head of the O'Brien trucking concern. i.
 Bodies of the three victims were claimed this afternoon by Hartford
 undertakers and transferred to that city for funeral and burial.
 WHEAT TAKES DROP