The New York herald., 1921-11-21
WOMAN DRIVES CAR
Off FERRY TO Death
Tragedy Believed Due to Her
Stepping OH Accelerator
Instead Of Brake.
PINNED UNDER MACHINE
Victim Iden titled by Cards and
Photo as Miss Edith Stew
art at Wilkes Barre.

A young woman believed 10 be Miss
Edith e.. Stewart, 35 years old. a
teacher in the Commercial High
School of Wilkes Barre, Pa, homeward
bound after getting her automobile
from a repair shop in this city, drove
off the ferryboat Weehawlen yester-
day into the Hudson River at Forty
second street and was drowned.
Miss Stewart was in an automobile
accident here about a week ago, in
which her car was damaged. She
left Wilkes Barre Friday to get it. /,
The automobile was hoisted out of
forty feet of water by the police boat
John f. Hyian. Miss Stewards body
came with it until the car reached the
surface. when it floated free. but was
recovered. Identification was estab-
lished by school registration card
containing Miss Stewards photograph
and name, found in the rear of the
car by the police.
drive on the ferry about 1:15 yesterday
afternoon. She went aboard at a good
speed, according to Edward Krusche, a
deckhand, who was waiting with a block
of wood to wedge the wheels of the first
car. AT the point where most drivers
apply their brakes and come to a stop
her car suddenly shot forward past the
startled decIhand, crashed through the
gates and plunged into the water. 1t is
thought she stepped on the accelerator
in mistake for the brake and did not
have the clutch out.
Though the top of the car was up. it
was hoped by those who saw the acci-
dent that the young woman might work
herself free and come to the surface.
Deckhands stood with life preservers
ready to throw. But there was no sign.
Frank Ferguson. ferry superintendent,
notified the police Of the marine division.
The police boat arrived about o'clock.
At the first cast OF the graphing iron
Sergeant Grace caught the car, and it
was swung aboard very shortly. Miss
Stewards body was picked up BY small
launch standing by and body and car
headquarters.
In the meantime the Weehawken did
not leave her slip and passengers and
vehicles were ordered off and transferred
TO another boat. AS Miss Stewards was
the first vehicle aboard, few of the pas
sengers saw the accident. No one heard
a scream and 1t Is believed she was so
paralyzed by fear that she could neither
cry out nor move.
When the car was recovered il was
found that the top was crushed in, as II
the car had turned over under water and
rested top down on the bottom. Police
pointed out that in going down such a
distance the air in the tires would have
o. tendency to turn the car over. An
unusual feature Of the car. which was q
five passenger touring model, was that
II had wire wheels on the left side and
wooden wheels on the right.
From the fact that her. body floated
when brought 10 the surface the police
Judged she may have died from shock on
striking the water. Ordinarily drowned
persons body will not float for several
days.
Miss Stewart was native OF Church.
vile, Monroe county, New York. Her
parents are dead.
Miss Stewart had been in Wilkesbarrc
thirteen years. She was expected to re-
turn for the school session to-day. in
the young woman's han1bas the police
found s41.54 and some cards. She was
dressed warmly for driving. with a fur
trimmed dress and two pairs Of stock
inss.
The body was taken TO the Morguc to
await positive Identification.