1/21/2010:
A horrendous railway accident occurred on this date in 1910 along the Spanish River in Ontario, Canada. Mike Nicola of Max, North Dakota, was a passenger on the Canadian Pacific train, traveling west from Sudbury on that day. Injured during the incident, he was fortunate to survive and tell the harrowing tale of the accident, which left nearly fifty dead and dozens injured.
The Canadian Pacific passenger train left Sudbury around noon, and traveled a little over thirty miles before reaching the frozen Spanish River, which was crossed by way of a large iron bridge. Carrying over a hundred passengers, the train began to cross at a fair rate of speed. Suddenly, the second class coach jumped the track. The loose car slammed into one of the bridge's supporting abutments, which gave way from the impact. The bridge was suddenly split in two, and half of the second class car, followed closely by the colonist, first class, and diner cars, dove into the icy river. The frozen surface of the river, although a foot in depth, was dashed apart, and the cars sank into the depths. Soon, all that was visible were the very tops of the cars, their ventilators, sticking above the surface. Passengers still fortunate enough to be above the icy water quickly scurried down the steep embankment to aid those in the water. Heroic efforts on their part resulted in the rescue of eight passengers from the diner car. Twenty-two injured, including North Dakotan Mike Nicola, were rushed to the Sudbury General Hospital, quickly filling the small hospital's beds. Ten additional victims were taken to the local hotel for treatment. Railway officials estimated the total number of deaths at forty-five, although, because it was not possible to raise the submerged cars for some time, the official death toll remained unknown. Fortunately, the second class car had split into two upon impact with the bridge abutment, and only half of the car plunged into the river. Also, the sleeper Pullman car tipped onto its side, and failed to follow the diner car into the river - otherwise, dozens more may have perished.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. Saturday (Evening ed.), January 22, 1910: p.1,7.