Jersey City, NJ Fire Engine Wreck, May 1909

FIREMAN HURT IN CRASH.

Engine Driver Pitched Off in Trying to Avoid a Trolley Car.

Joseph Wexell, driver of Fire Engine 1 of the Jersey City Department, was seriously injured last night when he was thrown from the engine at Jersey and Newark Avenues. he was trying to avoid a crash with a trolley car.

The engine was responding to a second alarm for a fire in a store at 370 First Street. Wexell was driving west in Newark Avenue, following the car, which came to a sudden stop at Jersey Avenue.

Seeing that there was not space enough to pass the car on the right, Wexell pulled the horses up on the sidewalk. The right rear wheel struck an iron trolley pole and the engine was turned sideways. The engine pole was snapped in two and Wexell was tossed from his seat to the pavement in front of the car. He received contusions of the back and several several cuts on the body. He was sent to St. Francis's Hospital, where it was said his condition was serious.

The engine was not damaged. Two firemen standing on the footboard were thrown on the sidewalk, but were not injured. The damage done by the fire was slight.

The New York Times, New York, NY 3 May 1909
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!