1950 Chicago streetcar crash

Streetcar accident in Illinois, US February 2025 SptcGH.jpg A model replica of the Green Hornet streetcar May 25, 1950 Chicago, Illinois United States Green Hornet Streetcar Collision Driver error 34 50 $150,000 (estimated to be approximately $1,750,000 in 2022) The 1950 CTA Streetcar Crash, also known as the Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster, occurred on May 25, 1950, when a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) streetcar collided with a gasoline truck in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The resulting explosion killed 34 people and injured 50 others, remaining one of the most deadly public transit disasters in Chicago history.https://josephdooleylaw.com/chicago-vision-zero/ Car Accidents in Chicago Will Vision Zero Produce Results? 2017-06-27 Injury Attorney Chicago en-US 2019-10-04 Over 100 people were made homeless by the collateral damage to adjacent buildings. Crash The collision occurred at the intersection of 63rd and State Streets at around 6:30p.m. on May 25, 1950.Victims Trapped in Blazing Wreck; Bodies Burned Beyond Recognition http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1950/05/26/page/1/article/victims-trapped-in-blazing-wreck-bodies-burned-beyond-recognition October 19, 2016 Chicago Daily Tribune May 26, 1950 The streetcar was headed south on State Street but suddenly switched eastbound to avoid a flooded underpass.On This Day in 1950: The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/on-this-day-in-1950-the-green-hornet-streetcar-disaster/ October 15, 2016 CBS Chicago May 25, 2012 "Apparently, the motorman of the streetcar was not paying attention, and went through that switch at total velocity, and hit the side of that truck with dire consequences," said Craig Cleve, author of the book The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster.On This Day in 1950: The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/on-this-day-in-1950-the-green-hornet-streetcar-disaster/ October 15, 2016 CBS Chicago May 25, 2012 The gasoline truck jackknifed after the collision and blocked State Street 200 feet north of 63rd Street.Victims Trapped in Blazing Wreck; Bodies Burned Beyond Recognition http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1950/05/26/page/1/article/victims-trapped-in-blazing-wreck-bodies-burned-beyond-recognition October 19, 2016 Chicago Daily Tribune May 26, 1950 The motorman of the streetcar, Paul Manning, died at his post. The driver of the truck, Mel Wilson, died in the cab of the truck while the conductor of the streetcar, William C. Liddell, survived.Victims Trapped in Blazing Wreck; Bodies Burned Beyond Recognition http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1950/05/26/page/1/article/victims-trapped-in-blazing-wreck-bodies-burned-beyond-recognition October 19, 2016 Chicago Daily Tribune May 26, 1950 Fourteen-year-old Beverley Clark was alone as a passenger on the tram at the time of the collision and managed to open the center door using the emergency handle, saving several people from the inferno. The passengers swelled to the rear doors (which opened inward). The conductor William Liddell managed to temporarily open the rear doors. Arleen Franzen escaped through a small side window but others got trapped in this small gap.The Green Hornet Streetcar Crash: Fascinating Horror - YouTube etc Chicago 250 left 63rd & State St. (Chicago) The location of the crash was on the South Side of Chicago The location of the crash right Green pog.svg 41.779753 -87.625398 Consequences Thirty-four people died in the streetcar while another fifty, some on the streetcar and others in the surrounding area, were injured.On This Day in 1950: The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/on-this-day-in-1950-the-green-hornet-streetcar-disaster/ October 15, 2016 CBS Chicago May 25, 2012Flaming Death In the Green Hornet Crash Of May, 1950 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-06-09-8502060320-story.html February 28, 2022 Chicago Tribune June 9, 1985 According to the National Safety Council’s report two days after the crash, it was the largest death toll from a motor vehicle collision, surpassing the 29 people killed in a 1940 Texas train-truck collision.6 Inquiries Begun in Crash Disaster http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/05/27/94263692.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=22 October 19, 2016 The New York Times May 27, 1950 Some victims were identified immediately because of personal belongings whereas other victims were identified at the Cook County Morgue by friends and relatives in the days following the crash.33 Burn to Death in Chicago As Street Car Hits 'Gas' Truck http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/05/26/94262531.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=LedeAsset&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=1 October 19, 2016 The New York Times May 26, 1950 In addition to the lives lost, nearby buildings and parked cars were consumed by the flames.Victims Trapped in Blazing Wreck; Bodies Burned Beyond Recognition http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1950/05/26/page/1/article/victims-trapped-in-blazing-wreck-bodies-burned-beyond-recognition October 19, 2016 Chicago Daily Tribune May 26, 1950 Five buildings were completely destroyed between 6239 and 6247 State Street on the east side.Victims Trapped in Blazing Wreck; Bodies Burned Beyond Recognition http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1950/05/26/page/1/article/victims-trapped-in-blazing-wreck-bodies-burned-beyond-recognition October 19, 2016 Chicago Daily Tribune May 26, 19506 Inquiries Begun in Crash Disaster http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/05/27/94263692.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=22 October 19, 2016 The New York Times May 27, 1950 The total property damage was estimated to be around $150,000 (estimated to be $1,502,663.90 in 2016).6 Inquiries Begun in Crash Disaster http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/05/27/94263692.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=22 October 19, 2016 The New York Times May 27, 1950CPI Inflation Calculator http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm United States Department of Labor William C. Liddell, the streetcar conductor, disappeared after the crash but was arrested the day after, charged with leaving the scene of the accident.6 Inquiries Begun in Crash Disaster http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/05/27/94263692.html?action=click&contentCollection=Archives&module=ArticleEndCTA&region=ArchiveBody&pgtype=article&pageNumber=22 October 19, 2016 The New York Times May 27, 1950 Aftermath In 1955, the Chicago Transit Authority claimed it paid a total of $900,000 to families of the deceased.Flaming Death In the Green Hornet Crash Of May, 1950 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-06-09-8502060320-story.html February 28, 2022 Chicago Tribune June 9, 1985 The accident was highly investigated, drawing conclusions as to what could prevent another such catastrophe. Among them were the addition of drainage systems for frequently flooded underpasses so operators would not have to detour, two yearly physical examinations of motormen, and streetcar doors that could remain open in case of an emergency to allow for evacuation.Flaming Death In the Green Hornet Crash Of May, 1950 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-06-09-8502060320-story.html February 28, 2022 Chicago Tribune June 9, 1985 However, in 1958 the CTA elected to stop using streetcars entirely. They were replaced by transit buses that still run today.On This Day in 1950: The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/25/on-this-day-in-1950-the-green-hornet-streetcar-disaster/ October 15, 2016 CBS Chicago May 25, 2012 See also List of tram accidents 1972 Chicago commuter rail crash 1977 Chicago Loop derailment References 41 46 48.2 N 87 37 31.3 W title Category:1950 in Chicago Category:Tram accidents Category:May 1950 in the United States Category:Transport disasters in 1950 Category:1950 disasters in the United States Category:Explosions in the United States Category:Transportation disasters in Illinois