New-York tribune., 1918-12-07
Motorman Blames Brakes
for Crash at the Fifty.
seventh Street Station
Runs Past the Signal
Inquiry is Started; Cars and
Trainmen Are Held; One
of the Victims May Die

Nineteen persons were injured, one
perhaps fatally, yesterday afternoon
in rcar-end collision between two
southbound trains on the Second Ave
nuc line of the elevated railroad at
the Fifty-seventh Street station. Scores
Of other passengers were hurled from
their seats, but escaped unhurt
The crash occurred shortly after
o'clock, when a train came around the
curve from the Queensborough Bridge
and ran past the danger signal into
another, which was dischargng pas
sengers.
District Attorney Swami, who ar
rived shortly after the accident, an
nounced that an investigation would
be made to fix the blame. Edward ].
Coyle, of 739 Brook Avenue, The Bronx.
motorman of the moving train, was
placed under guard and later taken TO
the Fifty-hrst Street police station for
examination by Captain William Dug.
gan, despite the protests of the chief
inspector of the road, who demanded
that Coyle be allowed to take the train
on the return trip to Corona.
Later District Attorney Swami an
nounced that he had ordered that
Coyle be held on a short affidavit for
further investigation.
Nineteen Persons Injured
The injured were:
Harris Linder, ffty-six, a shoe
maker, Of 1912 Findlay Avenue, The
Bronx, who was removed to Bellevue
Hospital, suffering with fracture of
the skull; Charles, Mahoney, fifty
three, of Corona, Long Island, contu-
sions of the face; Dennis Pettitt, thir-
ty-scven, of 349 East 135th Street, con-
tusions Of the left eye and nose.
Charles Schneider, seven, of 81
Lamont Avenue, Elmhurst, L. l., shock;
Naomi Schneider, thirteen, same ad-
dress. shock; Minetta Schneider, forty
one, same address, contuslons OF the
body; Elizabeth Mahoney, twenty-nine,
shock; William Mahoney, three, same
address, contusions of the head and
cncst.
Nassie Davis. of 200 East Eighty
eighth Street, contusions of face; Mur-
ray Mueller. thirty-seven, Of II FeIgu-
son Street. Corona, contusions left eye;
Arthur Mueller, three, same address,
shock Henrietta Kambrey fifty-three.
Of Laurel Hill Boulevard, Corona, con-
tusions of chest.
Ellen +. Tilly, twenty-five, of Laurel
Hin Boulevard. Corona. contusions Of
the nose; Elizabeth Day, forty-five, of
i1lnhurst, Long Island, fracture Of
the nose and contusions Of the fore
head; Celia Robinson. thirty-four. of
DAB Vest 146th Street. shock; Harry
Rittenoerg. 81 93 Nicholas Street, Co.
roma, lacerations OF the scalp.
Andrew McCaffrav, thirty-three.
switchman. Of All West 142d Street,
right hand lacerated: Paul Cappiocimo,
thjlty-oieh+, lahorer Of 81 Merritt
Street. Corona. contusions Of the chest;
Daniel lecker. thirty-four. Of 1901
Bathsate Avenue. fractured ribs.
Governor Goes 10 Scene
As soon as Captain Duggain arrived
he established police lines TO keen back
thc crowds and notified District All
torney Swami and Public Service Cont
missioner +. J. kracke Word also was
flashed to the St. Regis Hotel to Gov
eNno4 Whitman. who Immediately hur
ried to the scene in his automobile.
lie was met by District Attorney
Swami and 2 short consultation was
held. after which Mr.. Swami asbsured
tne governor tnat Z 1uIt investigation
would be made in an effort to deter
mine any blame attached to the wreck
After Mr.. Swami had questioned
Motorman Coyle he announced that the
latter lad declared that he saw the
danger signal bat had been unable to
stop the train because The brakes were
rot working properly.
lie quoted CoNlc as saving:
Il saw the danger signal perfectly
and there was 40 trouble there, but
after rounded the turn and got on the
crest OF the hiil ! noticed that the
brakes were not gripping. When left
the Alberta station. Queens. 7 experi-
enced the same troubl owith the
brakes. think that in rounding the
curve the wheels picked up some
grease, which contributed to my in
ability to step"
Coyle's train was taken to the 1854
Street yards of the Interborough com
pany and placed under a police guard
by order Of the District Attorney pend
ing the conclusion OF his investigation.