Firemen Killed in Perth Amboy, N. J.
A regrettable accident causing the instant death of seven members of the Perth Amboy, N. J., fire department and the injury of six others occurred when the combination truck of the Eagle Hose and Chemical Company of that city, in responding to an alarm, collided with the second car of a passing express train on the Central Railroad, N. J. Just before 6 o’clock p. m. on June 15 an alarm came in to the company’s headquarters on Davidson Avenue for a fire in the junk shop of H. Rudderman in South Second Street, it being the fourth small blaze since the previous Sunday afternoon in that place. As the truck swung into Market Street and travelled the few blocks to the crossing two or three automobiles stood on the near side and hid the view of the track. It is disputed whether the drivers of these cars were flagged or whether they had halted of their own accord as they saw the onrushing express. One citzen in an automobile crossed so closely in front of the train that the engine almost brushed the fenders of his car, and he claimed that no one had warned him to stop. Fireman Torgenson, who was one of those who lost their lives, was at the wheel and seeing the vehicles ahead of him probably thought that they had stopped to give him the right-of-way and swinging to the right started to cross the tracks at high speed. Thomas, the watchman of the railroad, had seen the train four blocks away and the ringing of the crossing bell further warned him of the approach. According to rules, he should have dosed the gates, flagged the apparatus and, if time was still left, have flagged the train. According to onlookers what he did was to snatch his red flag and dash toward the oncoming firemen, leaving the gates erect. It seems improbable that Fireman Torgenson ever knew that he was driving to his death as he made no attempt to check the speed of the car. Another member of the department, Fireman Kafton, swinging out on the running board saw the engine and shouted, “Jump for your lives,” and rolled off. One or two of the others followed.
The engineer of the locomotive claims that he did not see the fire engine until within a few feet of it. It is claimed by witnesses that the train was going at forty miles an hour as a conservative estimate of the speed, and should have been moving at ten miles according to law. The locomotive passed the fire engine, which struck the middle of the combination baggage and smoking car full speed and twisted itself to pieces beside the steel train. It recoiled, spun all the way around and was thrown against the standard of one of the crossing gates, catching the watchman of the railroad in its impact. The firemen who were killed were those who were flung by the collision under the wheels of the train. Their mutilated bodies were carried from twenty to one hundred feet down the track before the train was brought to a standstill. Those who were worst hurt were those who were caught between the fire engine and the train. The others were injured in the recoil of the fire car. A special call brought Chief Frank Tooker of the department, who took charge of the injured firemen and rushed them to the city hospital. Red Cross workers were of great assistance in rendering first aid to those who were injured. The members of the department who were killed were: Hans Holt, of 210 Sheridan Street; John Donegan, 199 Grant Street; Peter Larson, 341 Market Street; Joseph Kutcher, 391 Ogden Place; James Anderson, 334 Market Street; Joseph Torgenson, 219 Meade Street; George Larson, 287 Market Street, brother of Peter; died in City Hospital shortly after 11 o’clock. Those injured were: Victor Janderup, 32 years of age, of 240 South Second Street; internal injuries, fractured ribs, broken leg. Jack Mowrey, 280 Watson Street, fractured skull; E. V. Johnston, 43, of 284 Davidson Avenue; Andrew Thomas, gate tender, 64 years old, 306 Laurie Street; Joseph Finan, 25, of 381 Market Street; Andrew Kafton, 26 years of age.
Firemen Janderup and Mowrey have since died from injuries received, making a total of nine deaths. E. T. Johnston is in a critical condition.
A rigid investigation is being carried on as to the causes of the regrettable accident and the board of aldermen of Perth Amboy have sent a request to the public utilities commission to take steps immediately for the abolition of all grade crossings in the city. A similar request was made several years ago but it was never acted upon. An impressive scene was enacted in the aldermanic chamber on the evening of the accident, when relatives of the injured firemen, together with the members of the Eagle Chemical Company, led by Mayor Wilson, knelt down and offered prayer for the recovery of the injured and for the repose of the souls of the dead firemen.
At a fire department meet at Quincy, Mass., the Brockton contingent won the principal prizes, the best play being made by the Enterprise, 210 ft. 2 1/4 in. The General Edwards of Quincy came in fourth place on 210 ft. 1 3/4 in.
