Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1954, December 7- Crossing Accident, Heron Road, CPR Prescott sub., no injuries

From the Ottawa Citizen 7 December 1954 Train Cuts Car In Two Driver Escapes Alive A Hurdman's Bridge man had a miraculous escape from serious injury this morning when a CPR train cut his light coupe in two and scattered pieces along the track right-of-way. Ernest Begin. 23, was sent home from Civic Hospital after treatment for shock and superficial scratches. His car was completely demolished. The accident occurred about 7.45 a.m. at the CPR crossing on the Heron Road. Mr. Begin, a construction employe, was returning home after working a night shift on a building project cn Carling Avenue near the Merivale Road. Mr. Begin told City Constable Gerry Lefebvre that he was driving east and nearing the crossing when he heard the sudden scream of the whistle of the Ottawa-bound CPR-CNR overnight pool train. He said he applied his brakes, but the wheels failed to hold on the icy pavement and he skidded right into the intersection. Direct Hit The train, in charge of Engineer Burns Wilson, of Smiths Falls, caught the 1947 coupe almost directly in the center. The locomotive ripped the automobile completely in two, hurling the sections 60 to 120 feet down the track. Smaller parts were strewn the entire distance. When Constable Lefebvre arrived. Mr. Begin was lying along the track, apparently thrown clear of the demolished sections of his car. He was fully conscious, though dazed and suffering from shock. Constable Lefebvre took the driver to hospital in his prowler. The automobile, a total loss, was valued at about $1,000. The train was able to proceed to Ottawa.

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Updated 29 October 2019