New Britain herald., 1917-06-26

named. split in two yesterday after noon when a large auto truck tried to cross. The span, which Is about eighty feet in length. is a complete wreck and beyond all repair as the result of overweight. The truck, a five ton affair owned by H. l.. Immich of Meriden. is at the present time buried in the waters of the pond with the greater part of the bridge.
 It was about 2:30- o'clock yester- day afternoon that the truck. driven by Dennis R. McMahon of 94 Wind sor street. Meriden. came along Main street, Kensington, headed toward the south. The driver had been to New Britain where he had loaded 8 three ton hoisting engine, consigned to Lewis A. Miller, the Meriden con- tractor. He had attempted to take the main highway but the height of his load would not permit 1t to go under the railroad Bridge and for this reason the trip over the other road was attempted. All wont well until the entire load was on the iron bridge when there was sudden snap which was followed by the drop of the truck and it's contents into tho pond. Employees of the New Britain Gas Light Company were early on hand to repair the broken main which spans the pond at this point.
 McMahon was carried down with the truck. After he had worked his way out from beneath the cab of the machine he perched on the front wheel, which was the only thing showing above the water, until a plank was put out from the shore for him to crawl in on. He was prac- tically unhurt but badly scared. Two boys who were swimming in the pond had a narrow escape from serious in- jury when the bridge went dowm One of the youngsters swimming under the structure heard the creaking and made his way to the shore just as the truck came down. The other was not as fortunate for small piece of iron flying to one side hit him in the nose and, besides making 1t blee0, gave him a bad start.
 It Is claimed that there was no creaking to warn the driver of what was coming as the structure went down with a crash carrying truck. load and driver. It was only last week that the bridge was inspected with the intention of having it re- paired within B short time. At the time of inspection 1t was considered that the bridge could be repaired so that 1t would last at least ten years longer but the accident of yesterday will call for a complete new bridge. People in the habit of using tho highway bridge at this point were today compelled to take the back road in order to get by with their teams or automobiles. Foot pas- sengers made their way over the dam which is located short distance be- low the bridge. It will be several days before the truck and engine can be hoisted to dry land again and ac- cording to one of the morning papers there is a law suit hinted at.
 Just what new iron bridge to span the pond at this point would cost is not known at the present tine but it Is thought that first class structure of the kind needed would be in the neighborhood of 5000. Before the present high cost of mate rial the bridge could have been put in position for about s2.Asv. which is half of the present cost The old bridge was one of the oldest iron structures in the state having been in place between forty and fifty years. It was erected to take the place of the old covered bridge which was at one time used at this point.
 Warning for Trespasscrs.
 A number of posters for use on the town bulletin boards have been re- ceived by Town Clerk Shaw from tho state food supply committee and will