- Glen Tay Couple and Son Killed in Train Crash at Perth
Perth, April 24 (Special)
A young Glen Tay couple and their 15 months old son were killed here Sunday night when their light truck was hit by a CPR freight train at the Wilson street crossing.
Dead are Gordon Chaplin, 27, his wife Lorna, 25, and their infant son, Brent.
Facing Strong Sun
Mr Chaplin ws driving west out of Perth and was facing a strong setting sun, which may have blinded him in the autyomatic wig-wag signal at the crossing.
The truck was half-way over the crossing when hit with grinding force by the heavy locomotive. It was thrown 45 feet in the air, landing in the ditch at the side of the track, demolished.
Skid marks from the truck were plainly visible in the middle of the railway line.
The infant was thrown out of the vehicle onto the the front of the engine, which stopped about 400 yards west of the collision at the Drummond street crossing. The body, noticed when the engineer brought the train to a halt, was taken from the front of the engine before the train backed up and was carried to the CPR station.'
Mr. Chaplin, killed instantly, was found in the cab of the upturned wreck of the truck. His wife, still breathing, was found lying on the ground beside the demolished pickup. She died in the ambulance while being rushed to Perth Memorial Hospital.
A coroner's jury was imp immediately in view of the bodies. Then the inquest was adjourned and will continue May 3.
Signal Operating
The crossing wig-wag and automatic bell were both operating when the collision occurred, police said. The freight, with Conductor W. Kimberlay, was east-bound at the time. The truck, in which the Chaplins and their son were returning to Glen Tay after spending the day in Perth, was travelling in a northerly direction.
Gordon Chaplin was well known in Perth and district. He was prominent in hockey and softball circles and was a member of the Perth Kinsmen.
With his brothers, John and Don, he conducted Chaplin's Dairy at Glen Tay and also operated a milk route in Perth.
Mrs Chaplin was the former Lorna Korry, of Bathurst, a daughter of Mr and Mrs John Korry. Besides her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Arthur of Oshawa and Clyde at home. Mr Chaplin is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs Delbert Chaplin, of Glen Tay, three brothers, Cameron of Toronto, Don and John of Glen Tay; three sisters, Mrs John O'Gorman, Perth;, Miss Betty, Perth; and Miss Winnifred, attending Toronto University.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
25 Apr 1949
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Abt 1948 - 1949 (~ 1 years)
