Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1923, May 21 - Man  commits suicide on a train at Smiths Falls. The train proceeded and killed a woman at Merrickville.

Kemptville Weekly Advance  24 May 1923 BROKEN VETERAN SLASHES THROAT Commits Suicide on C.P.R. Train Which Later Fatally Injures Woman on Tracks. Smith's Falls, May 21 Alfred Price, aged 48, ex-imperial soldier, committed suicide by slashing his throat with a razor on C.P.R. train number 20, Toronto to Montreal, while it was standing at the Sniith'a Falls station this afternoon at 2.50. Miss Alberta Nicholson, aged 63, of Merrickville, was fatally injured when she was struck by the same train at Merrickville 20 minutes later. Price died from his injuries within 15 minutes and Miss Nicholion died in Smith Falls General Hoipital at 5.30 p.m. No inquest will be held over the death of Price, but Coroner Dr. J. S. Macalum will open one over the death of Miss Nicholson on Wednesday afternoon at one oclock. Alfred Price, although only six weeks in Canada, was being deported back to England owing to mental trouble. It is thought this fact preyed on his mind and caused him to take the rash step. As Immigration Officer J. S. Graham, of Ottawa, who was accompanying him, stepped out on the platform at Smiths Falls, Price got up from his seat and walked to the end of the coach. There in full view of a number of fellow passengers, including two women and a number of children also being deported with him, the man whipped out razor from his pocket and slashed his throat. He fell to the floor in a pool of blood, amid the shouting of the other male travellers in the car and the fainting of women. War Veteran Dr. J. A. Anderson, mayor of Smiths Fall, was immediately summoned and C. P. R. officials cleared the coach and placed it on a siding to permit the train proceeding. Price died with 15 minutes. According to his record in the charge of Officer Graham, Price was a veteran of the South African campaign and was wearing the Mons Star and other decorations from the great war. He had only come to Canada on April 23 and had been a patient at Christie Street Hospital. Toronto, ever since. He was being deported back to his home at Gillingham, Kent, England. He is survived by his wife and two children. His funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at one o'clock and will be attended by the local war veterans and the Sons of England Society. Not a half hour after the suicide of Alfred Price, as the train passed through Merrickville, Miss Alberta Nicholson, who was deaf, stepped in the road of the advancing train which was attempting to make up the time lost by the delay at Smith's Falls, Miss Nicholson. apparently failed to see the train and not hearing its whistle, was attempting to cross the level crossing through the town. She was thrown several feet by the impact and when picked up was found to be suffering from a double fracture of her left arm, a fractured left leg, injuries to the head, and internal injuries. Dr. Smith, of St. Luke's Hospital. Ottawa, who was on the train, rendered first aid. Miss Nicholson was rushed back to the hospital at Smith Falls on a special coach and engine sent out from Smith's Falls. Miss Nicholson was crossing the track at the time on her way to an aunt's residence, Mrs. Wm. Smith, to get some milk. She is survived by two brothers. Dr. J. Nicholson, of Washington, D.C., and Wesley Nicholson of Smith's Falls. Ill Fated Train The ill fated train. C.P.R. number 20, was able to proceed on its way to Montreal without any further mishap. Conductor Rafferty of Toronto, and Engineer Mike Carmody, of Montreal, gave what assistance they could but in both cases, the victims were beyond human assistance. Chief of Police G.A. Phillips.of Smith's Falls, also rendered much valuable aid.

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Updated 22 February 12022