Trinidad, CO Train Wreck, Aug 1908

ENGINEER SUFFERS AWFUL DEATH IN TRINIDAD WRECK

Pinned Under His Cab With Head Above Flood, Escaping Steam Cooking His Face and Neck

CLOUDBURST CAUSES BRIDGE TO WASH OUT

Special to the Courier.

Trinidad, Colo., Aug.7.-- Thomas French, fireman, died a lingering death from scalding and Thomas Ryan, engineer, is in a critical condition, as a result of a railroad wreck that occurred at 2 o’clock this morning thirty miles south of here. A Colorado & Southern freight train broke through a trestle and plunged into a stream that came down from the mountains as a result of a cloudburst. The water had washed out the supports of the trestle, which spanned what was usually a dry arroyo.

French was pinned under his cab with his head just above water, escaping steam hissing all about him. The flesh on his face and neck was literally cooked, while he writhed in helpless agony. He was not released until three hours later when the wrecking crew arrived. Jacks were necessary in raising the wreckage, in the effort to remove his crushed body, and he died soon after being taken from the water. Ryan may recover.

The Weekly Courier, Ft. Collins, CO 12 Aug 1908
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Transcribed by Audrey. Thank you, Audrey!