New Britain herald., 1921-02-23
SHELTON DISASTER TO BE INVESTIGATED Coroner Phelan to Go Into Details
 Of Trolley Collision GASOLINE CARRIED ON GAR
Public Utilities Commission Will As sist in Strengthening Out Facts and Killed, Many Injured.

Killed, Many Injured. Shelton, Conn, Feb 23.-Inquiry into the cause and the minute parti- ] culars of the collision of two trolley l cars on the Bridgeport-Shelton line 1 of the Connecticut company were un- ! der way today. The inquest by Coroner John J. Rkelan will be opened at ! Bridgeport tomorrow and the public utilities commission will sit with that official in order to hear the testimony which is brought out. Charred Remains
 Today. on the tracks a short eighth of a mile below High Bridge, in sout h Shelton, there is only heap of 1 charred metal and twisted frames of the cars and fittings in the center of a barren spot on the right of way caused by the melting of snow close by.
 In Griffin hospital and in a number of homes here the injured persons who went through the ordeal of being in a trolley car which suddenly was crumpled up and then enveloped with flame and from which their escape even with life itself. seemed almost miraculous in the opinion of eye witnesses of the disaster.
 In Griffin hospital
 In Griffin hospital today were the following:
 Mrs. William Wilkinson, Shelton, burned and blinded, condition remains critical.
 Mrs. Fred Somers, shelton, condi- tion critical from burns.
 Henry Bailough. shelton, condition critical.
 Mrs. J. H. Brown, Shelton, condi- ton unchanged; will recover.
 Mrs. De Martin 29 Jackson street, Ansonia. condition unchanged.
 Mrs. Amelia Moore. Waterbury, condition about the same.
 Rosaia Lonera. Shelton. condition good.
 Ralph Bernstein, Ansonia, condition unchanged.
 John Lofthouse. Derby, condition unchanged.
 Antonio Lubrie New Haven, condi- tion fair.
 Mrs. R. J. Henderson. Waterbury. condition fair.
 John Simon, West Haven, burns and decorations. on the danger list. An unidentified man. probably of Italian birth, in critical condition from burns.
 
 hospital late yesterday but they have been removed to their homes. The chances of the recovery of Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Somers and MT. Bal tough were not considered good this forenoon.
 In New Haven Hospital
 In St. Raphaers hospital, New Haven. are Mrs. Frank Landino aged 30. and a daughter, both Of New Haven, who are badly hurt. The daughter was taken to the hospital late in the afternoon and her mother during the night. The morning report was that both are comfortable. Their injuries are due mostly to fire.
 Of the list of eight persons killed in the wreck, two bodies were uni- identified still this forenoon. but it was thought their names would be learned soon.
 List of Dead
 The list of dead follows:
 Milton Cherritre. Shelton, motor man of the car bound to Bridgeport Edith Wilkinson, aged and her sister Nancy. aged 3, children of Mir and Mrs. Wilkinson burned to death in the car.
 Freda Goldberg, aged IS. and her
 
 by.
 Peter Koch, 26, Shelton.
 One of the unidentified dead is a man about five feet eleven inches tall. The other body is that of a woman, who had worn a gold ring with two red stones. The police are investi- gating a report that the woman had brothers by the name of Yhrdin liv- ing in Bridgeport. She had worked for a family here, but they knew her only by the name of Ida"
 Gasoline on Trolley
 The Shelton police gave out a statement today to the effect that the five gallon can of gasoline which was on the front platform of the south bound car was exploded after the col lision. belonged to Steven T. Palmer, town clerk and judge of probate of Shelton. MT. Palmer was among those hurt. having his moustache and some hair burned off. The police say that MT. Palmer sat in the rear of the car. After the wreck it was MT. Palmer who sent in the fire call which got the apparatus to the scene in a short time.
 Phelan on Job