10
Wednesday, October 3, 1979
University Daily Kansan
An aerial view of yesterday's Amtrak accident shows the extent of damage to some of the derailed railroad cars and to the track. The derailment was the second worst accident in the history of Amtrak. The train was on its way to Chicago when the accident occurred less than a mile from its scheduled stop in Lawrencetown. (Right) A speed record photographed in the first engine of the train shows the needle of the speedometer at 53 mph. The car is surrounded by other evidence indicated that the train was traveling 78 mph in the 39 mph zone when it dermalized.
Lawrence firemen and a police officer pull one of the 168 persons aboard the derailed the slightly injured and uninjured were transported to the Lawrence Community train to safety. The injured passengers were taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital while Building.
Kansan photos by Jeff Harring, Bill Frakes and Bill Higgins
A premonition of danger
By BOB PITTMAN and MELISSA THOMPSON Staff Reports
Staff Reporters
Phill Winter says he isn't a superstitiousBut youyes. Buses are awaitting turnstiles. But yes, passengers from Amtrak's deraled train,he admitted to Amtrak in a little detour.
As he boarded the train in San Diego Sunday night, en route to Washington D.C., he landed at the airport. So 11. Do the flight numbers of a DC-10 that crashed in June at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and those of a 747 that collided in midair with another plane over the water.
"I said to myself, 'We'd better get off this train.' " Winter said, laughing nervously.
And his mother were among the 168 passengers aboard the 18-car train that derailed near Ohio and Fourth streets early morning and killed two crew members.
THEY WERE SHELTERED with 104 other passengers at the Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th, waiting for them. They were to decide how to get on with their travels.
Jo Beyers, Red Cross director, said she had been notified of the dermatal at 6:5 a.m. Within half an hour, she said, the building was open and receiving passengers from the
The Winters were luckier than some. Mrs. Winter suffered only a brushed shoulder and back when she fell from her sleeper car. Her husband had no injuries.
Other passengers had stories to tell. Eighty-seven-year-old Joe Bettiewier, Newton, said he was dozing when the train left the tracks.
"I THOUGH HE was a 'breakin', he moment, his right eye widened. Vision in his left eye was impaired by a cut and a bruise he received when the derailment's impact
"There was such an excitement when the train hit—screaming and a hollering going on," he said.
Bettiewler was on his way to visit relatives, and although he has a return ticket, he said he probably would find some other means of transportation.
By midmorning, activity at the center had quieted. Some passengers remained, talking with police. Amtrak officials and
reporters. Others had been taken to Kansas City's Union Station to begin their trips home. Some remained at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
BEN SCHIER and his wife, Nettie, stood in the lobby of the center, talking with a television camera man. Schor was wearing a pair of flowered bedroom slipp-
The slippers had been given to him by Marge Black, a resident who lived near the scene of the accident. His own shoes had been lost in the wreckage.
The Scibiers had been traveling from Albuquerque, N.M., to Dearborn, Mich. at the time of the derailment.
"It all happened so fast; it was just . over." Soothra said.
ALL OF THE passengers remaining in the building agreed on one point. They all appreciated the speed and friendness of the residents who responded to the accident.
The incident did plant questions in the minds of a few, however. Marion Winter said she wasn't sure whether she would travel on a train again.
"I haven't traveled on a train in 19 years and it's going to be 19 more," she said.
Victims wrapped in blankets given to them by Lawrence residents living near the accident scene watch the efforts of rescue and cleanup crews during the early morning hours, yesterday.
Victims calmly tell of derailment
Rv ANN LANGENFELD
Staff Reporter
By noon yesterday, things had quotted down at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A few of the victims of the early morning bombing had lobbied waiting for the three Greyhound buses that would take them to the Lawrence Community Building at 115 W.
Some of the passengers were dressed in pajamas and bathrobes. They had had no chance to grab clothes in their freazied escape from the overturned train.
However, Luvena Logan, 83, of Chicago, had time to gather her clothes and did not seem fared by having gone through the book. She was so keen that looked as if she were dressed to go to church.
She had gone to Los Angeles with her daughter for a nurses' convention.
"I was in the lower bern, my mother was in the upper bern. I saw her hurt me and let it fall on me. I think I strained my shoulder trying to hold it off, but otherwise I was not hurt."
"AFTER WE tipped over I just sat there and looked out the window. I could see the trees baning over us.
Logan said she was awake when the train derailed.
"We usually fly to these conventions," she said. "But my daughter and I decided it might be nice to go on the train to see the country."
"While I waited for the firemen to break the glass, I gathered up my clothes. I could
hear other people crying and praying. It's a miracle that more weren't killed.
"I figure when it's your time to go, you'll go no matter where you are."
Tim Jackson, 31, from Nashville, Tenn., was reserved, but disheveled. He wore white pajama bottoms with his blue sport coat.
Jacobson said he had only minor bruises, but his wife suffered a broken neck. He said that she was injured during the fight or for at least a week. The Jacobsen, who had been on vacation in Arizona, plan to stay in the city this weekend.
"We travel by train quite often," Jacobson said. "We have always enjoyed it."
She said that after she was pulled from the train, someone went back in to get her clothes from the close but they missed her shoes.
"It may seem silly at a time like this but I've lost my shoes," she said. "I don't have any shoes. They were in the closet of my room and I'd never be able to wear bedroom slippers back to Chicago."
ANOTHER VICTIM. Charity Ward, from
Chicago, was telling anyone who would listen about her lost shoes.
Helping the victims in the hospital lobby were hospital auxiliary volunteers, nurses, police officers and social work interns. A meal, juice and cookie was set up in the lobby.
Officials removed all the checked luggage from the train and took it to the community building
Workers and spectators walk among several of the 16 cars detailed during yesterday's accident. Two persons died and dozens were injured in the wreck that left debris on the road.