1922 — Aug 12, train hits truck at crossing, hurls it into 2nd sidetrack train, Annandale, MN–10
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-16-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–10 AP. “10 Dead, Scores Are Hurt in Soo Line Smashup.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 8-14-1922, 1.
–10 ICC. Summary of Accident Investigation Reports No. 13, July-September 1922, p. 21.
Narrative Information
U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission: Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway. “Collision between a passenger train and an automobile truck, followed by a side collision between the passenger train and a freight train, at Annandale, Minn., on August 12, 1922, resulting in the death of 6 passengers, 2 employees, and 2 other persons, and the injury of 35 passengers and 4 employees.
“This accident was caused by a driver of an automobile truck proceeding upon a crossing at grade directly in front of a passenger train.
“This accident occurred on a single-track line over which trains are operated by time table, train orders, and manual block-signal system, at a road crossing located one-fourth of a mile east of Annandale station….A State highway approaches the railway from the south at a right angle until within about 300 feet, then makes an abrupt turn to the left, and extends nearly parallel with the track for 300 feet, following which there is a 250-foot right-hand curve and a 100-foot tangent ending at the crossing. At the abrupt left turn referred to, the view from the highway is largely obscured by trees and bushes on both sides and on the tangent following this curve the view of the crossing. As seen from the high way, is obscured for some distance by a large signboard, which, however is not so located as to obstruct the view from the highway of a train approaching the crossing from the east. The east passing-track switch is about 26 feet west of the center of the highway crossing. At the time of the accident eastbound freight train No. 2 was standing on the passing track near the east switch. The weather was clear at the time of the accident, which occurred at about 2.35 p. m.
“Westbound passenger train No. 107 consisted of engine 727, 1 mail and express car, 1 baggage car, 1 smoking car, 2 coaches, 2 tourist cars, 1 dining car, and 5 sleeping cars. The equipment consisted of 4 steel, 3 wood, 2 steel, and 4 wood cars, in the order named. This train, while traveling at a speed of about 45 miles an hour, struck an automobile oil-tank truck at the highway crossing referred to, hurling it against and overturning and damaging the switch stand to such an extent as to permit the switch points to open. The engine and tender and the first truck of the mail car passed over this switch on the main track, but the rear truck of the mail car and the following cars entered the siding. The train then separated between the mail and baggage cars, and the engine, tender, and mail car proceeded on the main track, with the rear truck of the mail car derailed, to a point about 800 feet west of the crossing. The baggage car collided with the engine of the freight train and was practically demolished, while the engine was overturned ; several cars in each train were more or less badly damaged. The employees killed were the engine- man of train No. 2 and the baggage man of train No. 107; the two other persons killed were the driver of the truck and another man riding on the truck.
“The evidence indicates that the truck driver paid no attention whatever to stop signals given by the brakeman of train No. 2, who was standing on the crossing, and that he did not look toward the east to see if there was an approaching westbound train until it was too late for him to stop.” (ICC. Summary of Accident Investigation Reports No. 13, July-September 1922, pp. 21-22).
Newspaper
Aug 14, AP: “Passenger No. 107 Crashed Into Oil Truck and Is Thrown from Rails…
“(By Associated Press.)
“St. Paul, Aug. 14 – Investigation of the Annandale wreck which cost ten lives last Saturday night was being made today by the State Warehouse and Railroad commission…
“Annadale, Minn. Aug. 13. – Ten persons dead and more than two score injured is the toll of the wreck on the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie railway here late yesterday when west bound passenger No. 107 crashed into a light truck loaded with oil. The work of removing bodies was completed this morning. Nine of the bodies removed have been identified.
….
“The wreck occurred when Fred Lamar, driver of the truck, failed to heed warnings of members of the freight crew and drove out onto the track in front of the passenger, bound from the twin cities to the Pacific coast.
“No. 107 struck the truck squarely and hurled it against the freight engine on the sidetrack. A switch stand was knocked down and three coaches of the passenger swung over to the sidetrack into the freight train. The baggage cars crashed over the overturned freight engine. Several other passenger cars were derailed.
“Most of the dead and injured were in the smoker which reared up into the air and toppled over. Part of the wreckage caught fire but the blaze was soon extinguished by members of the Annadale fire department. To this fact many persons owe their lives for it was several hours before the injured all had been removed.
….
“Lamar and a man who had asked him for a ride were instantly killed. This man was identified today as Torvil Thompson of Annandale.
“Chris Wallace of Minneapolis engineer of the freight train, was scalded so severely that he died several hours later…
“Emil Myllikaugas, 14, of Annandale, was caught under the wreckage of the smoking car. Both his legs were crushed and it was several hours before he was released. He directed the work of his rescuers. He died today….” (Associated Press. “10 Dead, Scores Are Hurt in Soo Line Smash Up.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 8-14-1922, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “10 Dead, Scores Are Hurt in Soo Line Smash Up.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 8-14-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-16-2025 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-aug-14-1922-p-1/
United States Interstate Commerce Commission. Summary of Accident Investigation Reports No. 13, July, August, and September 1922. Washington, DC: GPO, 1922. Google digitized at: http://books.google.com/books?id=c3zNAAAAMAAJ&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0