Desjardins Canal disaster
| Date | March 12, 1857 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Train wreck |
| Cause | Bridge collapse |
| Deaths | 59[1] |
The Desjardins Canal disaster killed 59 people and occurred near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The train wreck occurred at 6:15 p.m. on March 12, 1857 when a train on the Great Western Railway crashed through a bridge over the Desjardins Canal causing the train and its passengers to fall 60 feet into the ice below.[1]
Recovery and rescue
The train had ninety passengers. Most in the last train car survived but others on the train either drowned or succumbed to injury.[1] Locomative lamps and fires were built to illuminate the scene to aid in rescue efforts. Ropes and latters were lowered to bring the dead and wounded out of the train cars. One car, partially submerged, was accessed with axes by rescuers.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Desjardins Canal Disaster". Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. 1857-04-04.