Ashtabula Creek Bridge Rail Disaster
Ashtabula, OH
December 29, 1876
On December 29, 1876, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway train from Chicago to New York City was traveling through Ohio in a blinding snowstorm. The train was made up of two locomotives and eleven coach cars. At 7:30 p.m. the train approached the bridge over Ashtabula Creek, near Ashtabula. The train proceeded slowly crossing the 152-foot iron trestle bridge. Just after the first locomotive made it to the other side, the bridge collapsed under the weight of the train. The other locomotive and coach cars uncoupled and plunged down the deep ravine into the creek below, causing several explosions and a large fire. Of the 80 people who were killed, 19 bodies were burned beyond recognition. Another 68 passengers were severely injured, but 52 others managed to walk away with minor or no injuries. |
