Miraculous escape from instant death

Young Penetang man drove on G.T.R. tracks—Struck by speeding passenger train.

Horse killed and cutter smashed

Received only slight scratch on face.

A. Beauchamp, an 18-year old Frenchman, who lives near Penetanguishene, may well feel assured that he was born under a lucky star, for on Saturday morning he had one of the most miraculous escapes from instant death that has ever been recorded in this district. Young Beauchamp had been visiting Penetang the previous night and started for home about 2 a.m., taking a short cut on the G.T.R. tracks with his horse and cutter. The evening train from Barrie had been delayed by a wreck at Minesing and was running at a good rate of speed when nearing Penetang, and the engine struck Beauchamp's horse with terrible force, killing it instantly. The cutter was broken into splinters, but Beauchamp, who must have been asleep, came out almost injured, he being thrown with the seat and cushion of the cutter to one side of the track. The only injury sustained by him was a slight scratch on his face. The force of the impact derailed the baggage car and put the air brakes out of working order. The train crew were in no way responsible for the accident, as the young man was driving on the G.T.R. right-of-way. It was a lucky escape for Beauchamp, and this will likely be the last time he will ever take the railway tracks to save time in getting to his home.

The auxiliary left Allandale at 10.30 Friday night to replace a car of grain that had become derailed about two miles north of Minesing. The evening passenger train was thus held up until the grain car was replaced on the track, about 1.30 a.m. The auxiliary had hardly reached Allandale when it was again called out to Penetang to replace the baggage car which was derailed when the passenger train hit Beauchamp's horse. It was 5.20 a.m. when the track was cleared, just in time to allow the morning train to come on to Barrie.

Railways: G.T.Ry.

Stations: Minessing, Penetang

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