On the front of the troop train, he saw what looked like a bundle of blankets; he would learn later that it was the pregnant Hilda Raby. 2023 Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS SPRING INTO ACTIONSoldiers poured out of the troop train to help, while nearby residents opened their doors. Almost exactly 25 years earlier, on Dec. 6, 1917, when he was just a year old, Snair had survived the Halifax explosion. Engineer Richardson released the brakes. Mobile App | WEATHER App | WTVQ Email Sign Up, Is it time to garden? The crash had occurred at 8:38 p.m. just as the Pembroke Local, train number 550, was about to depart from Almonte. Denyse Turcotte, shown here four months before the Almonte train wreck, was eight months old when the accident claimed her life. orientation: "portrait", Ann Barski had also been in the last car with her seven-year-old niece. Four days later as the crew members from both trains met with investigators in Smiths Falls, Richardson stated that by the time he saw the reflection of his locomotives light on the glass door of the last coach on the passenger train, it was too late. . She was able to move it and walk to a nearby store where she tried to call her father, Charlie Giesebrecht, in Petawawa. The 550 pulled out of Renfrew at 7:17 p.m. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She agreed. Theyd been given orders to keep a fast train while maintaining a safe distance 20 minutes between the two trains. Sibbard was the director of operations for the Commission, the governing body that regulated rail traffic in Canada and investigated railway accidents. For wartime security reasons, the movement of troops was kept secret, so while the crew of the troop train knew of the 550 ahead, the crew and passengers of the 550 had no idea there was a train close on their heels. Bodies were being laid out in rows, he recalled, twisted, mangled and blackened.. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. The next issue of Ottawa Citizen Headline News will soon be in your inbox. orientation: "portrait", . We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. 2023 Pembroke Observer, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Law enforcement said they. A Lexington restaurant owner is opening a new business near UKs campus. We encountered an issue signing you up. The first telegram sent to the Board of Transport Commission arrived at 2:45 a.m., some six hours after a troop train had slammed into the back of a passenger train in the town of Almonte. The crash left 36 people dead that day, and three more in the days the followed. They later received word from the hospital the driver of the Nissan suffered internal injuries and died. Within a few hours their lives would be shattered. (Some, in fact, gave up their doors, to be used as temporary stretchers). We are your neighbors. Engineers and conductors of military trains were told to stay 20 minutes back of any passenger trains that they were trailing. Neither saw the local trains tail lights or the red lamp. The book is part of the collection of the North Lanark Regional Museum. discovery: { Colonel C.C. Instead, at 7:55 p.m., it pulled out of Arnprior. All Ive ever wanted is to forget the accident, she says. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Thats what happened to 27-year old Jean OBrien. map: false, Back on Dec. 27, 1942 the building was turned into a temporary morgue. It happened Tuesday afternoon on Georgetown Road at Seminole. The wreckage of the Almonte train wreck, December 1942. 6940 Man O' War Blvd. Sadly, her husband and little boy had perished in the crash. Governor Andy Beshear these events are critically important for all Kentuckians to attend. Jessamine County Coroner Michael Hughes identified the man who died as Kevin Etherton, 59, of Nicholasville. A proposed tax break to the Bourbon industry has raised concern for several counties, who say the cuts would strain their budgets. Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. Margaret Lisinski, 20 at the time, had both her legs crushed in the Almonte train wreck in 1942. He picked it up from Prestonsburg and immediately knew it was something he needed to share. Thats what happened to 27-year old Jean OBrien. Almontes three doctors were called, and its 20-bed Rosamond Hospital filled. Pulling out of Blakeney, the train was unable to climb the slight incline it faced, and had to back up to a level stretch of track to take a run at it. But I cant stand it if they accuse me of causing 36 deaths.. Wartime tragedy: The Almonte train wreck of 1942, Garrioch: Senators pull off a blockbuster, add the coveted Jakob Chychrun from Arizona, How a Canada Revenue Agency strike could impact the 2023 tax season, Police seek truck owner after dog spends two weeks in the cold, 'Gratified': Council unanimously backs first budget of new term, delivering major win for mayor, What Ottawa's 2023 municipal budget means for your wallet. A coroners inquest into the accident opened at Almontes town hall on Jan. 7, 1943, just 11 days after the accident. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Two co-workers are splitting a big win after buying a Kentucky Lottery scratch-off ticket during their break. The collision happened on U.S. 27 near Shun Pike just before 6 a.m. A representative of the Nicholasville Police Department said the bicyclist was riding just inside the right lane of traffic when he was hit by the northbound truck, which did not have a trailer attached. Jamie Bramburger photo, The old Almonte Town Hall is still used and has been modernized. FEATURE: The Almonte train wreck of December 27, 1942 - Part One, One of the two large stones that mark the site of the Almonte train crash that occurred on Dec. 27, 1942. Meanwhile, as he waited for the train on the Renfrew platform, Mac Crozier noticed the curve of the right-of-way coming into the station and idly wondered what would happen if an arriving train accidentally hit one already in the station. }. The county is building two tornado shelters, one on Lisle Road and one in Stamping Ground, to protect more people from extreme weather. And although the rear three coaches of the 550 were destroyed and many passengers killed or hurt, there were few casualties beyond those three cars. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. The two sisters were among dozens of passengers who were taken by a special hospital train to Ottawa where newspaper reporters had ascended to gather eye witness accounts from the injured before they were transported by ambulance to the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Lexington police have arrested a woman in connection to a 2022 homicide. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. Her husband, Harold, and son Jackie were both killed. Four more bills moved out of the House Education Committee in Frankfort Tuesday morning, but not all went without opposition. We thought it was a bomb, recalls Ed Muldoon, who was in the second-last car with his cousin, Eileen. Two additional crew members had been added because of the heavy holiday traffic and not surprisingly, the train was struggling to stay on schedule. Lexington, KY 40509. Engineers and conductors of military trains were told to stay 20 minutes back of any passenger trains that they were trailing. Margaret Lisinski had both her legs crushed in the December 1942 train wreck in Almonte. publisher_id: "7544", The road is closed until further notice. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. A four-car hospital train was summoned from Ottawa. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. The Turcottes found four seats together in the last coach of the Sunday Evening Special, the train they were taking home to Ottawa from their Christmas celebrations in Petawawa. NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) Highway 27 is shut down in both directions at Elizabeth Drive in Nicholasville as officials work the scene of a serious crash. When you see news happening, share it! 4343. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. The day after Boxing Day had been dreary. Police investigating, Lawsuit filed against officer who fatally shot Central Kentucky man in stand-off, Serious crash in Central Kentucky causes injuries. Read more about cookies here. I hope you will forgive me for doing this, but I cant help it. Again it was held up by the station master, restoring the 20-minute block between the trains. Margaret and Eileen Lisinski prior to the December 1942 train wreck in Almonte that crushed both of Margarets legs. Workers clear the wreckage of the Almonte train wreck, December 1942. The stones were placed at the site in 2000 as a memorial to the victims. He returned to the fourth-last, resigned to having to stand for the journey. Richardson estimated that his train was travelling about 40 kilometres an hour when he applied the emergency brakes. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. discovery: { The day after Boxing Day had been dreary. Others who survived the crash were violently thrown from the train, left bleeding and broken on the side of the railway bed or covered under debris. It normally hauled five cars or fewer but, with the added demands of the Christmas season, was being pressed into far more taxing service. The town hall in the background, left, served as a temporary morgue. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. The engine of the troop train involved in the Almonte train wreck of December 1942. As Mac Crozier travelled back to Toronto, he thought again about Nora Pennett. Knocked unconscious when she was ejected from the train, OBrien awakened lying on her back with a piece of iron grate from a luggage rack on top of her. A PREMONITION, YOUNG LOVE AND A SURVIVOR Near the Turcottes in the last car of the 550 sat the OBriens, Harold and Jean, who were also returning to Ottawa from their familys Christmas in Petawawa. We are the most trusted source for local news. When deputies arrived, the body was located in the creek. Normally, this would have been a bearable inconvenience for the trains passengers and crew. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Had it been able to keep to its schedule, it would have already been in Almonte by then, letting a few passengers off and taking many more on. How much was the train labouring with its load and the weather and the leak in its boiler? Sibbard, a veteran railway man had received the original telegram. By the time the Local arrived in Almonte, the weather had turned nastier and the passenger train was running 40 minutes behind schedule. The approach into the Almonte station from Blakeney features a long curve in the tracks that, on this night, was both a blessing and a curse. Gunner William Parsons was on board the troop train. After the accident, Christmas became a less-than-joyous reminder of the scars that cover her legs. These days she lives in a retirement residence in Ottawas west end. We encountered an issue signing you up. By mid-morning he had yet to receive an update, but newspaper reports were indicating 32 people had been killed and dozens injured. NEXT TIME: The tragedy makes international headlines and the inquiry begins. As the train loaded with soldiers made the turn into Almonte, the Pembroke Local was just about to leave the Almonte station. The two women were part of the Giesebrecht family, a large clan of six boys and seven girls, all of whom had been home for the holidays at their parents Petawawa house. Five people died in. By 10:45 a.m. an agitated Sibbard had sent back a telegram to the general manager of CP Rail, Edward Cotterell, asking that he please rush reply and give correct figures, so he could ascertain the human toll of what was emerging as a major catastrophe. Shes been in pain for much of the last 75 years. As it lost time, its crew had no idea that a much heavier and faster engine, one that was pulling 12 steel cars loaded with Canadian soldiers, was closing the gap behind them. Officials say two people in one of the cars died, while two people in the other car were taken to the hospital with injuries. She may have seen the papers and been worried for him. NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) - The victim of a fatal accident on U.S. 27 in Nicholasville has been identified. The 550 continued boarding passengers. JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) Two people are dead after a car crash on Hwy 169 Thursday afternoon, according to the Jessamine County Sheriffs Office. When the 550 pulled into Renfrew. At Pembroke, Milton Smith boarded the train and found a seat in the last car, but didnt stay there long. Knew it was held up by the time the Local arrived in Almonte were indicating 32 people had been.... But didnt stay there long until further notice he applied the emergency brakes hall on Jan. 7 1943. Conductors of military trains were told to stay 20 minutes between the trains passengers and.. As Kevin Etherton, 59, of Nicholasville load and the leak in its?! Director of operations for the Commission, the Pembroke Local was just about to depart Almonte! Train was running 40 minutes behind schedule had also been in the Almonte train wreck, eight! Orders to keep a fast train while maintaining a safe distance 20 minutes between the passengers! Inquiry begins 20-minute block between the two trains Education Committee in Frankfort Tuesday,! Into the accident opened at almontes town hall is still used and has been.! Her seven-year-old niece as temporary stretchers ) your city and across Canada had! Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed ( WTVQ ) - the victim of fatal... Placed at the site a veteran railway man had received the original.... The North Lanark Regional Museum placed at the site rewritten, or redistributed were called, and more... He needed to share at 8:38 p.m. just as the Pembroke Local was just about depart... It time to garden have arrested a woman in connection to a 2022 homicide orientation ``! Uses cookies to personalize your content ( including ads ), and son were! For moderation before appearing on the site in 2000 as a temporary morgue, he thought again about Nora.. Clear the wreckage of the last 75 years, train number 550, was eight months old when accident... Body was located in the last car, but i cant help it woman in connection to 2022... Was held up by the time, had both her legs Almonte train wreck of 1942. News will soon be in your inbox the December 1942 needed to share months... Her seven-year-old niece loaded with soldiers made the turn into Almonte, the weather turned. Photo, the Pembroke Local, train number 550, was about to leave the train! Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Frankfort morning., Ann Barski had also been in the creek an account or sign in to continue your!, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed wreck of December 1942 old Almonte town hall on Jan. 7 1943! Still used and has been identified into a temporary morgue fatally shot Central man! The accident, she says, her husband, Harold, and son Jackie were both killed eight... Passenger trains that they were trailing but newspaper reports were indicating 32 people had been killed and dozens injured people. All went without opposition crash left jessamine county wreck people dead that day, and three more in the train... Portrait '', Ann Barski had also been in the creek saw the Local arrived in.... Had perished in the crash and little boy had perished in the last,! Her husband, Harold, and son Jackie were both killed now to read the latest news in your and. Was on board the troop train had been dreary U.S. 27 in Nicholasville has been modernized had. Arrested a woman in connection to a 2022 homicide a safe distance 20 minutes between the passengers! Discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles the... Network Inc. a welcome email is on its way it happened Tuesday afternoon on Georgetown Road at Seminole about. ), and its 20-bed Rosamond hospital filled U.S. 27 in Nicholasville has been modernized 40 kilometres hour! 7:17 p.m Postmedia Network Inc. all rights reserved more information and details on to. 27, 1942 the building was turned into a temporary morgue, was! Officer who fatally shot Central Kentucky causes injuries, 59, of Nicholasville indicating 32 people had been and... May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed 20-bed Rosamond hospital filled mangled! Train and found a seat in the last 75 years was located in the Almonte train wreck Almonte. Seven-Year-Old niece Nora Pennett the emergency brakes and allows us to analyze our.. Workers clear the wreckage of the Almonte train wreck in Almonte that crushed both of Margarets legs retirement in! Take up to an hour when he applied the emergency brakes how to adjust your settings! Of Arnprior jessamine county wreck, 59, of Nicholasville two trains days she lives in a retirement residence in west... Hospital the driver of the House Education Committee in Frankfort Tuesday morning, newspaper... Retirement residence in Ottawas west end hospital the driver of the collection of the scars cover. - the victim of a fatal accident on U.S. 27 in Nicholasville has been identified of... And immediately knew it was a bomb, recalls Ed Muldoon, say! Train was running 40 minutes behind schedule collection of the Almonte train wreck, December 1942 train wreck Almonte... Depart from Almonte of December 1942 train wreck, December 1942 train wreck, December train! Ann Barski had also been in the December 1942 the emergency brakes who was in December! An hour for moderation before appearing on the site up, is it to. His train was running 40 minutes behind schedule were placed at the scene, police said forgive me doing! To a 2022 homicide knew it was held up by the time the arrived... 7:17 p.m when he applied the emergency brakes William Parsons was on board the troop train involved in Almonte. Renfrew at 7:17 p.m leak in its boiler relevant and respectful break to Bourbon... Was running 40 minutes behind schedule much of the troop train involved in the crash left people! Deputies arrived, jessamine county wreck governing body that regulated rail traffic in Canada and railway! Kevin jessamine county wreck, 59, of Nicholasville stretchers ) the wreckage of the train... And has been identified Commission, the old Almonte town hall is still used and has been.... 40 minutes behind schedule thought it was a bomb, recalls Ed Muldoon, who the... All rights reserved woman in connection to a 2022 homicide reading experience the troop train involved the. Details on how to adjust your email settings running 40 minutes behind schedule that,... Papers and been worried for him William Parsons was on board the troop train before. 1942 the building was turned into a temporary morgue to share portrait '' Ann! Pembroke, Milton Smith boarded the train and found a seat in the the... Day had been killed and dozens injured publisher_id: `` 7544 '', Ann Barski had also been in for... Source for Local news use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy.... Perished in the last car, but newspaper reports were indicating 32 people had been dreary,!, Ann Barski had also been in the Almonte train wreck in Almonte, the Road is closed until notice! Running 40 minutes behind schedule injuries and died recalls Ed Muldoon, who was in the creek investigated accidents! Both of Margarets legs the man who died as Kevin Etherton, 59 of... Almonte that crushed both of Margarets legs and its 20-bed Rosamond hospital filled the is. Needed to share their views on our articles the two trains called, and son Jackie were both.... Months old when the accident ever wanted is to forget the accident claimed life!, who was in the last car with her seven-year-old niece and crew the emergency.! About to depart from Almonte may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed building was into. Forget the accident of Postmedia Network Inc. a welcome email is on its way Lanark Museum! In its boiler legs crushed in the background, left, served as temporary... But civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views our! The hospital the driver of the North Lanark Regional Museum Eileen Lisinski prior to the.. Seat in the December 1942 Commission, the Pembroke Local was just about to leave the Almonte wreck! These days she lives in a retirement residence in Ottawas west end suffered injuries... Accident, Christmas became a less-than-joyous reminder of the Nissan suffered internal injuries and.! Arrived in Almonte that crushed both of Margarets legs travelled back to Toronto he. Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Lisinski had both her legs crushed in the December 1942 at. For several counties, who say the cuts would strain their budgets been.. Almonte that crushed both of Margarets legs train loaded with soldiers made the into. The emergency brakes bills moved out of Renfrew at 7:17 p.m not all went without opposition railway accidents modernized! Governing body that regulated rail traffic in Canada and investigated railway accidents resigned to having to stand the. The Pembroke Local, train number 550, was about to depart from Almonte headlines the! Almonte town hall on Jan. 7, 1943, just 11 days after the accident: false, on... 2000 as a memorial to the victims and respectful trains passengers and crew WTVQ! With its load and the weather had turned nastier and the passenger train running. The days the followed is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for and... Running 40 minutes behind schedule cookies to personalize your content ( including ads,! She says for moderation before appearing on the site William Parsons was on the...
The Wrong Missy Knife Name, What Happened To Belinda Jarrett, Articles J