Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-15
Two Coaches Worces-
ter : Providence Ex-
press Leave Track
Near Whitins Sta
/ ton, Mass. Three
I seriously III urt -
Others Cut and
Nruised

Whitinsville, Mass. Mar. 14-Three
persons were injured seriously and
more than 80 others were cut and
bruised when two coaches Of the
southbound Worcester Providence
express left the rails at Dion's Cross
Ing about a mile from Whitins Sta
ton this afternoon. The two rear
tcars OF the train, a combination bag
gage car and smoker and q day
coach bumped along the rails for
some yards and then turned on the
sides. The locomotive and the re-
naming passenger coach kept the
rails.
One Of those seriously injured was
Elwood Walling OF Harrisvilie, II. L.,
the baggage master, who was wedged
In among the trunks and boxes In
his car and severely crushed. Res
cue parties used axes to release him
and physicians at WhItinsvilIe hos.
rltal said he had received internal
Injuries. The others were:
Charles Ritchter. ~ years old, Of
Providence. Il. l.. disiocated shoulder
and fractured ribs; and John II. Mon
geau Of Pawtucket. Il. l., probable
fracture of the skull.
In addition to these three. o pas
scngers were taken to the Whitins-
Vile hospital for treatment. Thirty
7 others were attended by physicians
at the scene OF the wreck or In homes
nearby. Those at the hospital to-
night. all suffering from cuts and
bruises. were: David kasan. Brook
Ign. N. Y; Howard II. Halves. Pro-
4 violence, II. IN; William A. Boucher,
Providence, II. L.: Henry Dunstall,
Fairhaven. Mass; Merrill g. Shaw.
! k.dgewood. X. l.; John Breen. Whit
: lnsville: John r. wild. Whitilnsville:
William Sidebottom. Molrose; Fred
Miller. Pawtucket. X. I.
The train was In charge of Con-
1 ductors Frank Wclch of Worcester
and John Congdon OF Woonsocket.
Il. l., with &. &. Wheeler of Wor-
v chester us engineer and c. q. Nor
1 ling of Worcester as firemen. Mem
4 bers of the train crew said they
1 could not explain the derailment.
N which occurred just before the train
Preached sharp curve. Passengers
Fstaid that they had felt humping
for several miles before the train
left the track. Officials Of che rail-
road company undertook an imme-
date investigation to determine the
cause OF the wreck.
Tho first call for help was sent
out by Mrs. Joseph Galipeau Of
Whitinsvllle. whose home IL close
10 the tracks ut Dion's crossing.
when the two coaches overturned
almost In front Of her windows. Mrs.
, Galipeau tclcphoned an emergency
call which brought every physician
1 IN the district to the scene and also
4. assistance from Whitinsville hospit-
| at Her home was made n relief
station for the treatment of those
requiring first aid.
Passengers expressed belief that
the trouble was due to the rear car,
the baggage and smoker. coming
: loose from Its trucks. The car.
they said. had been swaying threat
eningly for some miles and many
= OF those seated In the smoker moved
up TO the coach ahead for safety.
hut nobody notified the train Off
. cials so far as could be ascertained.
II was believed that the car finally
toppled from the trucks and dragged
, the next coach with II. The two de-
rallied cars were dragged 300 yards
before the train was brought to .
stop.
The baggage car was In the worst
condition. Everything movable on
the upper side OF the car. including
: seats. piled up on the lower side.
imprisoninH the passengers, many
of whom escaped death by narrow
, margins. A door of the baggage
section opened as the coach fell on
its side and through this opening
. tons of earth and snow were SCOOP
ed up as the car dragged along.
The locomotive and remaining coach
continued the journey to Providence
after an hours delay.