The New York herald., 1922-08-18
8 CARS DITCHED
One Blown Off Embank-
ment OH Buffalo-Ni-
agara Falls Troll
ley Line.
OTHER TRAINS HALTED
Witness Says Explosion Oc-
Cured Before Train
Reached Spot.
EXCURSIONISTS ABOARD
Passengers Were From Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and
Washington.

Special Dispatch to THE NEv York Hsa,L,
BUFFALO, April IS (F'riday).--An ex-
plosion Of dynamite. set between the
rails early to-day blew three cars of
a train of the International Railway
Company off the tracks near the Buff
falo city line, causing the injury of
more than forty persons. No one, so
far as reports We're obtainable, has
been killed, although many are seri-
ously hurt.
The three cars composed a train
OF what Is known as the high speed"
electric line. carrying tourists from
Niagara Falls to Buffalo. The passen-
gers were excursionists from Wash
ington, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Phila-
delphia. Ohio, Pennsylvania cities and
other places
Twenty sticks of dynamite were
found In bag near the point at whic
the cars were derailed by the concus-
sion. and investigators believe this was
part of the dynamite which ha
caused the accident, but for some rea
son failed TO sxrlode.-
Versions OF the accident vary, one re-
port being that the dynamite was dis
charged by means OF contact wire
pressed by the wheels of the head car
Another report. which Is related by a
man who was passing near the tracks,
Is thfS there was a tremendous explo-
sion q few seconds before the train
reached the spot. From this II was re-
garded as possible that the dynamite
had been fired with the intention of
spreading the rails and demollshing the
track bed. precipitating the wreck
Two other trains each OF three cars.
followed the wrecked train, but they
were tagged.
The first car OF the wrecked train
was thrown so violently from the rails
that IL turned over on It's side and
crashed down "A short embankment. TWO
other cars left the rails. but did not
turn over. Most of those injured were
in the first car. Relief calls We're sent
out and the injured brought to the
Sisters or to Tonawanda and Lafayetts
General hospitals.
Among those taken to Buffalo hos
pitfalls were
Mrs. Anna Smith Miss Irene Smith
and Mr.. and Mrs. w. II. Lochard OF
sos Chestnut street. Philadelphia.
Samuel Spray. 4191 South Fifteenth
street. Philadelphia.
In Tonawanda hospital was:
Mrs. Elizabeth Brierley Of Beverley,
Mass.
None of these was reported TO have
been seriously injured. Most Of those
received had cuts about the body from
broken glass and were suffering from
shock.
The accident happened just after mid
night The trains or the high speed
line which are Of the electric suburban
type. travel with great velocity. The
cars were crowded and the sudden shock
of the explosion ca ne without warning.
The front of the first car was torn
and ripped by the force Of the explosion
and the escape of the motorman from
death was miraculous. At the point
where the explosion occurred the trolley
line passes through residential section.
The dwellers nearby were awakened and
a great crowd gathered shortly to give
aid at the scene.
The position I'm which the cars were
thrown Indicated the great force OF the
explosion The trat~s ped was ripped up
as the cars plunged off the rails and tore
along for perhaps flfty feet. The head
car then went over on its side and the
passengers were thrown into heap.
The sudden stopping u NiiS - 49,
threw passengers In other cars TO the
floor and some were stunned. Those IN
the third car suffered least and were the
arst to go TO the aid Of the severely
injured.
Closely following the wrecked train
we're the two other sections and these
were halted some distance away.
An eye witness who was being ques-
toned early to-day appeared to make
Il certain that the explosion had taken
mace Just before the train reached the
place where the wreck occurred.
He said that he saw the lights o. me
electric train passing and observed the
cars crowded. The head Of the tram
was almost opposite him. he said, wnen
there came an explosion. There was a
flash from the dynamite charge, which
lighted UP the front OF the train. In that
moment, he believed. the blast wrecked
the track bed. The man said he saw
tho big headlight of the first car plunge
suddenly and the lights twinklod and
went out. He heard roaring. ripping
sound and the car plunged over ana
wont down the embankment