Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1964, 13 March 1964 - Four CNR employees killed in collision at Woodroffe Avenue, Beachburg subdivision



(See also entry for Carleton Place subdivision same date)

Ottawa Citizen 13 March 1964 Three killed in Woodroffe Ave. rail crossing crash Maintenance car slammed by auto Three CNR maintenance men were killed and a fourth is in critical condition after their light maintenance vehicle was struck by an automobile at a Woodroffe Avenue railway crossing this morning. Dead are: Willis White, Concession 12, Goulburn Township; Tony Perrier and John Passaw, whose addresses were not available at press time. Ottawa Citizen 14 march 1964 Victims of crash These are the four CNR employees who died Friday after a railway handcar they were riding on was in collision with a car on Woodroffe Avenue, a mile south of Base Line Road. Willis White, Tony Perrier and John Passaw were dead on arrival at Civic Hospital. James McLean died in hospital Friday afternoon. Ottawa Citizen 31 March 1964 Inquest told how four killed A coroner's jury was told Monday night (31/3)that James Knox McLean, 59, of 3011 Base Line Rd., one of four CNR maintenance men killed in a level crossing accident on Woodroffe Avenue March 13, died of a massive abdominal hemorrhage. Four doctors and two emergency ward nurses at the Ottawa Civic Hospital testified as to Mr. McLean's extensive injuries. He had a crushed left chest, head injuries, two fractured legs and multiple lacerations. Also killed were Willis White, 60, of concession 12, Goulburn Township, Tony Perrier, 47, of Moose Creek and John Passaw, 29, of Renfrew, when a car was in collision with their motorized railway handcar. Mr. McLean died in hospital about eight hours later. Driver of the automobile was Malcolm Massey, 34, of Manotick. He suffered facial lacerations but was not seriously injured. Orders "no notes" Coroner Dr. W. T. Kendall interrupted the proceedings to tell a stenographer sitting among the spectators she could not take notes. The woman identified herself as representing W. C. Lackey and Co., a firm of insurance adjusters. After a recess, Dr. Kendall conceded "anyone" could take notes but not a shorthand transcript. There is one official transcript and it is kept by the court reporter," he said. The inquest will continue tonight, when eye witness reports and technical evidence by police officers will be given. Kenneth Dean, 49, of 5 Monk St., a CNR section foreman, said he saw McLean at the controls the morning of the accident. Mr. Dean testified the wheels of track cars are insulated and will not set off wig wag light signals. He said track - car operators are supposed to slop at all level crossings according to railway rules, but where vision is unimpaired "you're supposed to use your own judgment." Both the auto and the CNR track car ended up in a ditch some 75 feet from the point of impact.

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Updated 11 February 2019