Suffolk Railway Accident
In the Suffolk railway accident on August 11, 1837 , two trains collided head- on near Suffolk , Virginia , USA . It was the first head-on collision between two trains with fatalities in railway history .
Realities
The line was single-track . A train protection did not exist. It was driven on sight and avoided trains on crossing tracks. The scene of the accident was located on an approximately twelve-meter-high embankment , which ended in a cut in the terrain and also in a curve. One of Portsmouth upcoming scheduled moderate traffic forming passenger train , 13 cars had with him and with about 200 travelers was occupied, approached over the dam the incision. At the same time, an unscheduled freight train with 15 freight wagons that were loaded with wood came from the opposite direction and from a slope .
Course of events
While the locomotive driver of the passenger train still managed to bring his train to a standstill with an emergency brake , the freight train was no longer able to do so. Some travelers, who saw the accident coming, jumped out of the car before the collision occurred. They fell down the dam. In the collision, the first three cars of the passenger train, which were running behind its locomotive, were pushed into one another and smashed, with the cars lying on the embankment. Three travelers died and dozens were injured.
examination
The result of the investigation blamed the train crew for the accident. He was accused of gross negligence . He drove too fast and did not notice that the scheduled passenger train was also on the route.
See also
literature
Coordinates: 36 ° 43 ′ 19.1 ″ N , 76 ° 36 ′ 37.5 ″ W.