8 die in crash at rail crossing

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that wig wags be installed at other points in the district.

There have been no fatalities at the crossing for some years, although there have been complaints about the lack of visibility. A feed mill stands close to the tracks, blocking vision to the west as the crossing is approached from the south. Lights in the yard shine all night, making identification of approaching trains difficult.

Only one member of the train crew saw the auto before it was hit. He was Engineer Cecil Burley of Belleville.

I had my arm up and was just finishing blowing the signal for the crossing for the last time when I saw the car right in front of us, Burley recounted. It did not stop at all.

The end of the train was about 800 yards past the crossing when the locomotive came to a halt.

In Kingston General Hospital, Joan McQuaig opened her eyes and murmured to a nurse, My you people are nice to me. Then she lapsed into unconsciousness again.

Mac Fox, one of the eight victims, was well known in Napanee. He spent most of his winters cutting logs for one dealer or another. Another a year ago he fell asleep in a parking lot and was run over by a truck. He spent six months in hospital.

Clifford Thompson purchased woodlots from farmers and would cut and sell wood on consignment. He and other engaged in woodcutting came into Napanee every Saturday afternoon. Fox and Cox would have worked longer in the bush Saturday, but their saw broken and they decided to knock off work.

The elderly Mrs. Thompson, who ran the household where the six victims lived, was awaiting their arrival for supper in the farm home. The light was on in the yard when a car drew up. She went to the door, expecting her family. Instead a provincial police officer brought her the news of tragedy.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

Stations: Napanee

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