Chicago, IL Elevated Train Wreck, Nov 1936

20 DEAD 60 INJURED

CHICAGO ELEVATED CRASH

WOODEN CAR SHOPPERS SPECIALS TELESCOPED BY STEEL TRAIN.

CHICAGO, Nov. 24. -- Twenty persons were killed and more than 60 injured here late this afternoon when a North Shore elevated electric train crashed into a wooden train, “Shopper's Special.” Officials said that it was feared that many of the injured would die.

The wreck, described as the worst in years, came when elevated trains were packed with shoppers and workers. The special train which was made up of wooden cars, was crashed into by the steel train and was telescoped and splintered into kindling wood. The cars were hurled from the tracks and many of them were dangling on the “L” structure when the police, firemen and rescue squads arrived. Some of the dead were lying in the street, hurled from the cars to the pavement.

Shortly after the crash occurred all lights went out in the cars and along the elevated railway. This added to the horror. One man was hurled through a car window and into the street. His body was badly mangled.

Frantic relatives and friends surged against police lines which were thrown about the scene, crying for news of their loved ones. The picture of the scene was beyond description. Priests and ministers worked frantically among the dead and injured. Doctors and nurses were rushed to the scene and every available ambulance in the city was called.

Priests administered last rites to the dying amid scenes of horror.

Police and railway officials launched a sweeping investigation of the disaster immediately. It is believed that the steel train failed to take a switch going at high speed and crashed into the wooden cars before the motorman had a chance to apply the brakes.

Six squads of policemen were rushed to the scene. Within an hour traffic in the area of the wreck became blocked with a milling crowd. Women screamed and fainted as the dead and injured were lowered from the elevated structure. First aid stations were hastily set up in nearby stores and garages.

Firemen directed their efforts toward preventing a fire among the wreckage of the wooden cars.

Hundreds of shoppers were packed into the wooden coaches. The steel train was filled with workers who had been released from office buildings and factories.

Wreckage from the crash was spread over a wide area and the railway line was put out of commission for more than two miles.

Police and firemen late tonight were having a difficult time establishing the identity of the dead and injured. The task was proceeding slowly.

Ogdensburg Advance-News New York 1936-11-25
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!