Chicago, IL Commuter Train Wreck, Oct 1972 - 39 Dead, 200 Hurt
Posted March 29th, 2008 by Stu Beitler
TRAIN COLLISION KILLS 39.
OVER 200 ARE HURT IN CHICAGO.
Chicago (AP) -- Thirty-nine people were killed and more than 200 injured Monday when an electric commuter train that was trying to back up after apparently overshooting a station was rammed from behind by another during the morning rush hour authorities said.
Hospitals said some of the injured were in serious condition.
It was the worst railroad accident in the United States in nearly 22 years.
As the toll of dead mounted, firemen worked to free passengers from the twisted wreckage. Their screams were heard above the noises of torches and wrecking bars.
The crash occurred on a flat stretch of land near the 27th street platform of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, which transports about 35,000 commuters daily between the city and suburbs to the south. One of the trains had four cars; the other six.
Nine Minutes Apart.
The two commuter trains, which had left about nine minutes apart from a far south side terminal, were less than 10 minutes from the downtown station when the crash occurred about 7:40 a.m.
H. G. MULLINS, superintendent for (unreadable words) said the lead train apparently ran past the station platform and was attempting to back up when the second train struck it.
The National Transportation Safety Board in Washington sent specialists to investigate on the basis of reports that the location of the crash was protected by automatic signals.
DONNA POSEY, an injured passenger in the first car of the second train, said a crewman shouted a warning about 20 seconds before the wreck.
"Everybody got up and just as we got up, we hit. Everybody screamed and there was a pile-up of people," she said.
10 Trapped.
Three hours after the crash, at least 10 persons were trapped inside one of the train cars officials said.
A doctor at the scene from nearby Michael Reese hospital reported several of those killed were cut in half by the impact.
The lead train carried four new double-decker cars with each cars capacity about 155 persons, a railroad spokesman said. The rear train carried older cars, each having a capacity of about 85 persons.
The spokesman said the cars were filled because of the rush hour.
BARBARA KUKULSKI, a passenger in the lead car, said the rear double-decker car, "just collapsed like tinfoil" at impact. "There was blood all over the place."
A call for blood went out to the Chicago area to help treat the injured.
Hospitals reporting deaths were Mercy, Michael Reese, Cook County and Billings.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette Iowa 1972-10-30
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!
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IC Train Accident ~ Oct 30, 1972 Chicago
I was a passenger on the lead train and was wondering if anyone reading this was also involved in this accident. Post a comment if you were ~ I'm interested in anyone else's experience. Thanks!
IC train accident 1972
My sister was killed in the train accident. Glad to see you survived it
October 30, 1972
I was also a passenger on the last car of the double decker seated in one of the two seats facing each other on the upper level. When the train spilt open I could see the sky.
A Passenger's Name Is Burned Into My Mind!
Hello....I remember that day like it wass yesterday! I was 20- years old at the time!
One of the survivors, if my memory serves me correctly, was a Lisa Tuttle. I believe that she was the last survivor to be removed from the wreck. Through all of these years, I have wondered what ever happened to Lisa?
If anyone can answer this question, and satisfy my curiosity, I would be VERY grateful!
Thank You!
Mike
IC Train Accident 1972
I was in the car that hit the highliner. I remember
seeing the back of that train just seconds before
impact. I was18 yrs old at the time. And I can still see, hear and smell that day like it just happend. I was very lucky, just walked away with
cuts and bruises.
A Passenger's Name Is Burned Into My Mind!- Lisa Tuttle
A Passenger's Name Is Burned Into My Mind!
On August 16th, 2009 Mike (not verified) says:
Hello....I remember that day like it wass yesterday! I was 20- years old at the time!
One of the survivors, if my memory serves me correctly, was a Lisa Tuttle. I believe that she was the last survivor to be removed from the wreck. Through all of these years, I have wondered what ever happened to Lisa?
If anyone can answer this question, and satisfy my curiosity, I would be VERY grateful!
Thank You!
Mike
Hi Mike,
Lisa was a fellow classmate of mine in grammer and high school and I remember this tragedy like it was yesterday, also. I remember that she was out of school for almost a whole year. She was very lucky to be alive. The group Chicago came to visit her when she was hospitalized.
Lisa is a successful portrait photographer who goes by her married name. I just got her info through our newly created class reunion website. I will be sending her a hello after I type this message to you.
Hope this helped satisfy your curiosity
Steve
last passenger pulled from the 1972 October Train accident
Hello Mike,
I was sitting in my dining room and my wife said "do you remember the young lady who was injured in the train accident in Chicago." I said "yes her name was Lisa" and after about a minute I called her last name "Tuttle." I worked with Lisa before she began working down town Chicago. So, I have been on the internet for the last 98 minutes searching for the accident dates with different phrases. Finally I found it and here I'm reading and saw your question and tears came to my eyes. So, Lisa or Lisa's family someone please let me/us know where she is how she's doing. The Last I heard was she had three surgeries on her ankles, they were crushed in the accident.
Long lost friend. Pellar's Cleaners on east 79 street. Mr. Pellar was the owner, Wife's name was Sarah, Mr. Grossman was his brother in law, he was the vice president, I think. Elaine was the manager. OMG, (smile) these names just came to me. Stanley was the presser.
Dale.
Train accident
DALE!!!!
My son found your comment on line and told me that someone was asking about me. What a wonderful surprise!
I can't believe you remember everyone's name at Pellars! What a memory you have. I remember the place quite well, but mostly remember that the days we worked together were always good ones because of your sunny disposition and happy smile. It was always such a pleasure to work with you and I have often wondered how your life has progressed.
I still live with the physical repercussions of the accident, but, for the most part, I manage very well. All in all, life is good! What a pleasure to have se3en your inquiry.
All the best to you
`
Lisa
train crash
I remember like it was yeterday such a sad day. I. Lost some good friends, and went to the hospital to donate blood for Lisa and Patty. Glad your doing well. Lisa. Do you keep in touch with Patty?