Accident at Jethro Trestle

This image is identified as “Jethro Trestle” in East Liverpool's Carnegie Library archives. The underside of the trestle bridge appears in the background. The image shows the site of an accident, mentioned in my previous blog post, which occurred on December 8, 1906. The trolley pictured derailed due to "loose earth on the tracks" and plunged over a twenty-five foot embankment. The image shows debris strewn about the site and a line hoisting the damaged car back to the tracks above. The front of the car has been torn away.

This car and a small fleet of other trolleys serviced Rock Springs Park along the East Liverpool Traction & Light Company line.

The article below, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 9, 1906, provides further details on the accident and the injured. (Click image to enlarge or read transcript below.)

MET DEATH IN CAR'S PLUNGE
One Man Killed, Many Injured in East Liverpool Traction Accident

East Liverpool, O., December 8 - A traction car of the East Liverpool Traction & Light Co. was derailed at the approach to the Jethro trestle in the west end of the town at 9:30 o'clock this morning and plunged over a 25-foot embankment, completely wrecking the car.

One man was instantly killed and practically all the passengers were injured. The car was bound from Wellsville to East Liverpool and was carrying a full passenger list.

THE DEAD
JAMES VALE, aged 70 years, of Wellsville.

THE INJURED
IVAN R. HANEY of Wellsville, head badly cut and bruised on the body.
GEORGE ABRAHAM, a Syrian, of Wellsvillle, right leg broken and head cut.
MRS. ANNA WILCOX, aged 9 years, internal injuries and may die die.
MRS. NATHAN RICJ, of Wellsville, both legs broken and body bruised.
SAMUEL KERR, motorman of the car, head injured and sustained internal injuries: will probably die.
ALBERT DIETZ, conductor of the car, leg and shoulder injured will recover.

Several others were reported injured. All the injured were removed to the City Hospital in ambulances.

The accident happened at the approach to the Jethro trestle, which spans a ravine more than 100 feet deep and extends for a distance of about 400 feet. The tracks are said to have become covered somewhat with earth which had washed down. The car, which was a large double truck one, ploughed down the steep embankment a distance of 25 feet.

Motorman Kerr remained at his post and none of the passengers had any chance to leap from the car to save themselves. The car stood on its end when it struck the bottom of the embankment and then toppled on its side.