Monday, December 4, 1967
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
7
Frisco cable car crash injures 43
SAN FRANCISCO —(UPI)—A rainy night excursion on a cable car turned into a fiery horror for dozens of passengers Sunday when the tiny vehicle careened out of control through a maze of cars at the bottom of one of the city's steepest hills.
The cable car smashed into the side of one automobile containing seven members of one family, setting it ablaze and slamming it into another car and critically injuring its two occupants. Five other wars were damaged in the wreck.
Forty-three persons were injured, including six children. Four of the twelve persons hospitalized were in critical condition.
The grinding accident resulted when the car lost its pincer-like grip on the twisted steel cable that buzzes under the tracks at a continuous nine miles an hour. It was one of the most spectacular mishaps involving cable cars since the colorful hill-climbers went into service nearly a century ago.
Shattered glass littered the street and sidewalks as the stunned moaning passengers staggered to nearby doorways. Residents rushed to the street with blankets and first aid materials.
"There was a muffled explosion and a ball of fire as the cable car continued through the intersection and down the next block trailing fire and pushing a car which was burning," said Derek Stewart. 25. a social worker.
Stewart said he was waiting in his car to cross the busy Hyde and Bay Street intersection when the cable car came through and scattered autos "like toys."
Police said there were seven members of one family in the burning car, including four children. Officers identified them as U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Robert Taylor, his wife, his brother, and the Taylors' children.
Stewart jumped out of his car and with the help of another man smothered flames licking at the clothing of two small children who were thrown to the rainsoaked intersection.
Passengers on the cable car said the grippman shouted at the top of the three-block long hill that he had "lost the rope."
"Rope" is the term used by gripmen for the one-and-one-fourth inch twisted steel over hemp cable that moves steadily under the car tracks.
Citations go to Alumni in June
Up to five KU alumni will receive distinguished service citations from the KU Alumni Association during commencement next June 3.
Recipients of the citation will be selected from nominations which must be submitted to the Association's office in 127 Strong Hall by Dec. 15.
Nomination forms are available in the Association office, said Dick Wintermote, director of the alumni association. Nominations may also be submitted by mail for the highest award the University preents to an alumnus.
A man who has written plays will speak on "Polish Theater of the Absurd" at 3:30 Tuesday in 341 Murphy Hall.
Teacher speaks on 'absurd'
Edward Czerwinski, associate professor of Slavic languages and literature, will speak and answer questions from the audience in
the Theater Research Colloquium;
Three of Czerwinski's original plays have been produced.
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