Evening star., 1932-02-19
INQUIRY ORDERED
IN FIRE TRUCKS
FATAL COLLISION
Pvt. M. C. Corbett Killed,
Two Hurt in Crash
With Trolley.
DEPARTMENT BOARD
INVESTIGATES ACCIDENT
Inquest Next Week Awaits Re-
covery of Injured Pair.
X-Rays Scheduled.

Fire Department officials opened an
investigation today to fix responsibility
for collision which killed a fireman
last night and injured another fireman
and a street car motorman when an
eight-ton ladder truck and street car
collided at Eleventh and P streets.
Pvt. Maurice C. Corbett, 80 years old,
of 11l3 Seventh street northeast, was
fatally injured when pinned between
the colliding vehicles as he stood on the
running board of No. 4 truck, which
was proceeding to an alarm al No. IA
Logan circle.
Fire Chief George S. Watson was ex-
pecting report later today from
board of Fire Department officers
which has been delegated to inquire
into the accident. An inquest probably
will be held next week, when the in
jured men have recovered sufficiently
to testify.
Last Rites Administered.
The accident occurred at 1890 o'clock
and Corbett died at Emergency Hospital
at l o'clock this morning. after last
rites had been administered by the Rev.
William Stricken of St. Matthews
Church. Corbett was unmarried.
The motorman, Clarence E. Jones. 38
years old, of 5l4 First street southeast,
was to undergo x-ray examination at
Garfield Hospital today to determine If
he has fractured skull. He was suf-
fering from brain conclusion and shock
when taken to the hospital last night.
The tillerman on the truck, Edward
G. Wolf, "a years old, of 1850 E street
northeast, suffered internal injuries
when the impact tore him loose from
his grip on the wheel of the 64-foot
truck and hurled him to the pavement.
He also was to undergo x-ray examina-
tion later today although doctors at
Emergency Hospital described his con-
clifton as improved.
The street car was going south on
Eleventh street when the truck, run
ming west on P street. started across
the intersection. The street car caugh.
the truck about the center of the trailer
body. and the long vehicle went out of
control when the tillerman was tumbled
from his wheel.
The truck sideswiped one tree and
uprooted another on the southwest cor
ner of the intersection hitting two
parked automobiles before careening to
malt partially over the curb.
Two Passengers Uninjured.
The street car was SO badly damaged
it had to be tcwed to the barn. Two
passengers aboard were uninjured and
left without giving their names.
The truck was being driven by Pvt.
George E. Clark of 1884 Randolph street
northeast. Although uninjured, he was
later relieved from duty because of
shock.
Other firemen riding on the truck
escaped unhurt. They we're Sergt. G.
A. Cole and Pvts. E. M. Dennis and H.
c. Hoy.
The truck sideswiped and damaged
Moon and John Smith parked near
their hcme at 1l12 P street.
Residents, aroused by the crash, sum-
moned the Fire Rescue Squad ambu-
lance, and Corbett and Wolf were re-
moved to Emergency Hospital in the
latter vehicle. while the motorman was
taken to Garfield Hospital in passing
automobile.
The alarm to which the truck was
responding was occasioned by an over
heated stove. No damage resulted from
the blaze
Clark, witnesses said, apparently at
tempted to swing the long truck south
into Eleventh street to avoid the street
car and seeing he could not make 1t,
cut the wheels in the other direction
in an attempt to pass behind.
Sand on the street car tracks and
skid marks made by the tires Of the
giant truck showed where the operators
Of both vehicles made desperate efforts
to bring them to halt
Corbett, who lives with his brother
Dennis, was native of Ireland. coming
to this country as boy. He had been
a member of the Fire Department eight
years He is survived by another
brother. James ]. Corbett, and two sis
teys. Mrs Maurice Cronin and Mrs
Michael j. Ready. Funeral arrange
ments have not been completed.