Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1878, October 4 - Collision at Morrisburg, Grand Trunk Railway, one fatality

Kingston Daily News 4 October 1878 Accident on the Grand Trunk - at an early hour this morning an accident occurred on the Grand Trunk Railway, resulting in the death of one man and slight injuries to several others. A very large train, drawn by two locomtives, conveying the excursionists from the boat race, was approaching Morrisburg station. As usual speed was slackened, the train running at about six miles an hour. By some mistake it got on the wrong track, and ran into another train of cars standing without an engine. The cars were smashed and the first locomotive was upset. The engineer jumped off the train, but another man, belonging to Brockville, whose name was unknown, was crushed by the locomotive and was instantly killed. The express car was also smashed and the goods strewn about the track. It is a very fortunate thing that the train was proceeding so slowly, as had it been going at full speed a fearful massacre would likely have ensued. A considerable number of Kingstonians were on the train, but none of them was injured. Ottawa Citizen 4 October 1878 Accident on the Grand Trunk. NARROW ESCAPE FROM A TERRIBLE DISASTER.  One Man Killed, - No One Else Injured Prescott, Ont., 4th. The express train from Monteal last night ran into a freight train at Morrisburg. Several freight cars were completelv smashed, and the engine on the express was thrown from the track and utterlv demolished. A man named Thos. Pritchoro, of Brockville, an employee of the Grand Trunk Railwav. was killed. The deceased was on the engine. The driver and fireman jumped from the train when they realized their danger, and escaped unhurt. The train consisted of seventeen cars, whose passengers were nearly all excursionists on their way home from the boat race. A number ot Ottawa people were aboard, but no one was hurt with the exception of tbe man Pritchoro. The train had slackened speed as it was approaching Morrisburg station, and to this may be attributed the absence of a most serious accident. There is no positive evidence as to who is to blame. .An inquest to be held on Pritchoro to-day will biing out the facts. The Ottawa excursionists will arrive at four o'clock. Morrisburg. 4th.About two this morning the express train Ne, 4 going west ran into freight train No. 21 also going west. It appears the freight train was too long for the siding, and by some means the steam breaks on No. 4 would not work. One man, an employee of the Company, named Pritchoro of Brockville, was killed,and one engineer on No. 4 slightly scratched. No. 4 was a heavy train, with two engineers. It seems a miracle to see engines, tenders and cars so smashed up without more loss of life. An inquest is pending. Cincinnati Daily Star 4 October 1878 Fatal Railroad Collision National Associated Press to the Star. Morrisburg, Ont., Oct 4. An accident occurred here early this morning on the Grand Trunk Railway, by the up express running into an up freight train. Some cars on the express, with nine freight cars and two engines, were badly damaged. An employe of the road named Picard, of Brockville, was instantly killed. No other serious injuries are reported. Montreal Gazette 5 October 1878 Morrisburg October 4. At about 2 o'clock this morning the express train No. 4 going west, ran into freight train No. 22, also going west.  It appears the freight train was too long for the siding, and by some means the steam brakes on No. 4 would not work. One man, an employee of the company, named J. Pritchard, of Brockville, was killed, and one engineer on No. 4 was slightly scalded. No. 4 was a heavy train with two engines. It seems a miracle to see engines, tenders and cars so smashed up without more loss of life. An inquest on the body of Pritchard will be held to-morrow morning. Ottawa Citizen 5 October 1878 On Board - Among the Ottawa people who were on the Grand Trunk train when it telescoped with a freight train at Morrisburg were Messrs. Tackaberry, R. St. George, and F. Elmore. They say it created the greatest excitement.

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Updated 10 August 2020