Charleston, SC Train Wreck, Jun 1910

TRAIN WRECK AT CHARLESTON

Engineer Hammond and Fireman Buckley Slightly Injured in Smashup on Coast Line

Special to The State

Charleston, June 2 -- Train No. 52 of the Atlantic Coast Line bound for Columbia, sideswiped freight No. 350 en route to Charleston at the Ashley Junction this morning shortly after 6 o'clock, resulting in the engine of No. 52 and four cars of the freight train being ditched and engineer J. B. Hammond and fireman R. Buckley of the passenger train being slightly injured. The freight train had taken to the siding when the passenger train came along with the result that the time and distance had not been accurately measured and the big puffing leviathan struck the freight cars a mighty blow, leaving the track and toppling over with four of the long train of laden cars. Engineer Hammond and fireman Buckley owe their lives to their jumping from the train. When they saw the collision was inevitable they leapt form the cabs and saved themselves from being pinioned under the engine and perhaps killed or seriously injured. The injuries of Hammond and Buckley were declared today by the Atlantic Coast Line officials to be a minor character and in substantiation of the statement, it was said that the men proceeded on to their homes at Columbia for such medical treatment as may be necessary. The accident is under investigation and the blame will be placed where it belongs. The collision blocked the tracks for several hours but before midday, the lines were again open and traffic uninterrupted.

The State, Columbia, SC 3 Jun 1910
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Transcribed by Rebecca Cook. Thanks, Rebecca!