THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, May 8, 1930

 

The most serious wreck of tile Florida East Coast Railway ever experienced in this territory occurred one mile north of here Saturday morning, when a southbound freight train and northbound passenger train ran together. Mrs. W. C. McRoberts, a passenger and resident of this place,was instantly killed in the crash. Orin White, flagman on the passenger train was seriously injured as was National Guardsman William Clemon, both of whom were in the passenger car occupied by white passengers. The car was almost completely telescoped by the huge freight locomotive which was pulling 70 box cars. Nine of the freight cars were piled up on top of each other a few car lengths' back of the freight engine.

In addition to those seriously injured, Conductor H. G. Roberts, Baggageman M. A. Guest, and Expressman J. A. Gannon of the passenger train were bruised and cut about the body. The engine crews of both trains escaped injury with the exception of a Negro fireman on the freight engine who was said to have suffered a slight injury to the shoulder when he landed after jumping from the locomotive. However, Bob Brannon., head brakeman on the freight, and who stayed on the freight locomotive was painfully scalded. Great presence of mind was shown by the Negro fireman on the freight engine, he cutting off the oil supply to the fire box before leaving the engine. Railroad men said that this alone saved the wreckage taking fire and burning, the injured men and the dead woman pinned beneath.

White and Clemons were carried to hospitals as soon as possible after the wreck, it taking about one hour to extricate Clemons from the wreckage. Those with lesser injuries were examined and given first aid treatment by Dr. L. A. Carter of this town. According to reports received today both White and Clemons are expected to recover.

Several hours after the trains met, the body of Mrs. McRoberts was taken in charge by Carl Davis, undertaker, of Palatka. Funeral services were held from the undertaking parlors Sunday afternoon and the body was shipped to the former home of her husband in Urbania, Ohio.

County .Judge George R. Benson conducted an inquest into the, death of Mrs. McRoberts, the coroner’s jury rendering a verdict which placed the blame for the wreck upon the crew of the freight train.

The wrecked passenger train is a local one, making a round trip daily between Bunnell and Jacksonville, laying over here at night.  The freight was an extra with running orders from Bowden to New Smyrna, via East Palatka. The local passenger train is scheduled to leave here at 6:10 a. m. and the wreck occurred at 6:15. At the point where the wreck occurred a curve obscured the view of either train crew until too late to stop before coming together it was said.

Three tracks of the railroad lead into Bunnell from the north, one line going to Jacksonville by way of East Palatka and a double track to Jacksonville by the way of St. Augustine. The wreck occurred on the single track.

Crews of both trains and other railroad employees have been summoned to appear before the grand jury which convenes for spring term of circuit court on May 19.