15 Injured When Coast Line Train No. 82 Derails; Two in Hospital, Dec. 24, 1922

Coast Line Train No. 82 Derailed; 15 Injured; Accident Occurs Near Lucama Early Saturday Morning; None Seriously Injured. . . Observer Employe Tells of Wreck. . . Passengers Miraculously Escape Death When 8 Cars Leave Track and Hit Bank

By Associated Press

Rocky Mount, Dec. 23—Fifteen passengers were injured early today when eight cars, including four sleepers and the engine of Atlantic Coast Line train No. 82, enroute from Jacksonville to New York, were derailed near Lucama.

Two of the injured, Mrs. F.L. Glass of Laurel, Miss., whose back was hurt, and Mamie Riddle, negro, of Raeford, N.C., who suffered a nervous shock, were brought to a hospital here. The others, injured only slightly, were given attention by physicians at Lucama.

Officials advanced the theory that the wreck was caused by a broken rail after making an investigation. The fact that no one of the 250 passengers was injured seriously as the fast traveling train left he track, struck an embankment and bounded back to the roadbed, was said “to be almost miraculous” by officials. All of the cars were of steel construction.

Thrown Through Window

North Carolina Legislator H.G. Connor Jr. was thrown several feet through the window of a coach, when eight cars derailed near Lucama shortly before 2 o’clock today. Fifteen persons were injured, but only two badly enough to be carried to a hospital.

The wreck is attributed to spreading rails. Railroad officials regard the fact that none of the 250 passengers were seriously injured as miraculous. Traffic was delayed for several hours.

Mr. Connor was brought to Wilson by automobile and his wounds were dressed. This afternoon, he was resting quietly at his home.

The two injured were carried to the Rocky Mount Hospital.

From the front page of The Fayetteville Observer, Dec. 24, 1922.