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2024 – Oct 19, ferry dock gangway collapse, Sapelo Island, GA                   —       7

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-27-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–7  AP. “An engineering firm will investigate Georgia’s deadly dock collapse.” 10-25-2024.

–7  CNN. “Georgia authorities investigating ‘catastrophic’ failure of boat dock gangway…” 10-20-2024.

–7  NYT. “What We Know About the Gangway Collapse That Killed 7 in Georgia.” 10-21-2024

Narrative Information

Oct 20, CNN: “Authorities are investigating the cause of a partial ferry dock collapse on Georgia’s Sapelo Island that turned a day of celebration into tragedy, leaving at least seven dead and six critically injured as crowds gathered for a cultural festival.

 

“Those who died were all older than 70, and one was 93, CNN affiliate WTOC reported.

 

“In the midst of a celebration of the island’s small Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants, a gangway collapsed on the visitor ferry dock shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday and plunged at least 20 people into the water, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Capt. Chris Hodge said at a Saturday night news conference.

 

“There were as many as 40 people on the gangway when it collapsed Saturday, department Commissioner Walter Rabon said at a Sunday news conference. Authorities believe the seven people deceased were visitors to the area.

 

“The gangway was completed in November 2021, said Rabon. ‘There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that,’ he said, adding there were ‘almost daily inspections.’ The gangway was last inspected in December 2023 by the McIntosh County-based Crescent Equipment Company, the natural resources department said in a statement later Sunday….

 

“McIntosh County Coroner Melvin Amerson identified those killed as Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; William Johnson Jr., 73; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; Isaiah Thomas, 79; Queen Welch, 76; and Charles L. Houston, 77, WTOC reported….” (CNN. “Georgia authorities investigating ‘catastrophic’ failure of boat dock gangway that killed 7 during Gullah-Geechee festival.” 10-20-2024.)

 

Oct 21, NYT: “….People waiting for the ferry described hearing the crack of a gangway on a ferry dock at Sapelo Island, about 70 miles south of Savannah, Ga., followed by the sound of screams and the horrific sight of floating bodies. The authorities are investigating what caused the gangway to collapse….

 

“At around 4:30 p.m., as dozens of people were preparing to board a ferry called the Annemarie, the middle of the gangway collapsed, officials said. Twenty people were sent into the cold fast-moving Duplin River….

 

“Seven people were killed and three others were hospitalized in critical condition, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which manages the island and operates the ferry service. All 20 people who went into the water have been accounted for, the authorities said….

 

“A spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources said on Sunday that a portion of the dock was built, but not installed, by Crescent Equipment Company. The company, based in Townsend, Ga., about 25 miles inland from Sapelo, declined to comment on Sunday. It was not immediately clear who had installed the dock.” (New York Times. “What We Know About the Gangway Collapse That Killed 7 in Georgia.” 10-21-2024.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “An engineering firm will investigate Georgia’s deadly dock collapse.” 10-25-2024. Accessed 10-27-2024 at: https://apnews.com/article/gullah-geechee-georgia-salepo-island-collapse-dock-79c7816670fdd8f9c2f470c990fe2875

 

CNN. “Georgia authorities investigating ‘catastrophic’ failure of boat dock gangway that killed 7 during Gullah-Geechee festival.” 10-20-2024. Accessed 10-20-2024 at: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/20/us/georgia-sapelo-island-ferry-dock-collapse-sunday/index.html

 

New York Times. “What We Know About the Gangway Collapse That Killed 7 in Georgia.” 10-21-2024. Accessed 10-21-2024 at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/us/gangway-collapse-georgia-sapelo-island.html

 

 

2024 — Oct 9, Hurricane Milton and Milton-spawned Tornadoes, FL         —     30

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-27-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  32  WNKY News 40. “Hurricane Milton could be one of the most expensive…” 10-21-2024.[1]

–>30  Fox local, Josh Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in [FL]: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024.[2]

—  30  Blanchard tally based on county breakouts below.

—  25  Treasure Coast Palm, Pirt St. Lucie, FL. “Hurricane Milton death toll…25…” 10-16-2024.

—  24  USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

—  23  NewsNation. “Biden tours Milton damage in Florida, 23 deaths reported.” 10-14-2024.[3]

Breakout of Hurricane Milton-related fatalities by county.

–1  Brevard County, Indian Harbor Beach. Either a slip and fall on balcony or medical.[4]

–1  Charlotte Co. Smoke inhalation; storm surge damaged golf cart lithium battery exploded.[5]

–1  Citrus Co. USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

–1  Hernando, East Parsons Point Road. Vehicle hits downed tree. Male, 46.[6]

–2  Collier County. “Medical Examiner – 2 reported.”[7]

–1  Highlands County. “Medical Examiner – 2 reported.”[8]

–2  Hillsborough County.

–1  Tampa, North Nebraska Avenue. Tree limb fall outside; Woman, early 70s.[9]

–1  Tampa. Vehicular collision on darkened street due of power outage; woman, 55.[10]

–1  Lake Co. Heart disease; man found dead in truck outside house; there to help with debris removal.[11]

–1  Manatee County. “Medical Examiner – 2 reported.”[12]

–4  Orange Co. Fox local, Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in [FL]: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024.[13]

–1  Orlando. Electrocution; man stepped on downed power line in his yard. Sheriff source.[14]

–2  Details not noted, but source is cited as the Orange County Medical Examiner.[15]

–1  Pasco County. Drowned in submerged car; Moira Bossard, 80.[16]

–2  Pinellas County, St. Petersburg. Herald-Tribune, Sarasota. “Hurricane Milton…” 10-11-2024.[17]

            –1  St. Petersburg. Medical

            –1  St. Petersburg. Person found dead in park; no cause noted.

–1  Polk County, Fort Meade. Maintenance Unit employee cutting tree on US 98 hit by vehicle.[18]

–7  St. Lucie Co. Tornadoes. USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024

            –1  Port St. Lucie. Fall from ladder putting up hurricane shutters; Robert Mackenzie, 79.[19]

–6  Spanish Lakes neighborhood near Lakewood Park.[20] Sheriff Keith Pearson cited.[21]

                        –2  Alejandro Alonso, 70, and Mary Grace Viramontez, 70.

                        –1  Roger Ammon, 85.

–1  William Cutlip, 82.

–1  Debbie Kennedy, 66.

–1  Sandra MacDonald, 84.  

–1  Sarasota County. No detail; Sheriff’s Office cited as reporting one death.[22]

–4  Volusia County. USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

            –1  Orange City. Heart attack while boarding up home; Randy Snyder, 66.

–1  Ormond Beach. Medical event. EMS could not get to home in time; William Stone, 89.

–1  Ormond Beach. Tree fall on house; Karan Zahnen, 79.

–1  Port Orange. Tree fall on mobile home off Madeline Ave.; Mary Wagoner, 53.

 Cause of Death Summary

 –1  Drowning

–1  Electrocution; stepped on down power line in his yard.

–1  Fall; from ladder pre-storm while putting up hurricane shutters.

–4  Medical

–1  Heart attack; victim found in truck outside mom’s home where he went to help clean debris.

–1  Heart attack while boarding up home pre-hurricane.

–1  Medical emergency; EMS could not reach location in time due to storm.

–1  Medical; no specific cause of death noted other than “medical.”

–6  Tornado

–3  Tree or tree limb fall

            –2  On homes

–1  Outside after hurricane.

–3  Vehicular

            –1  Collision on darkened street due to power outage.

            –1  Drowning in submerged car. (Noted above in Drowning.)

            –1  Hit by vehicle while cutting downed tree over roadway.

–1  Vehicle hits downed tree

–1  Other (either a slip and fall on wet balcony closing hurricane shutters or medical event).

–5  Not Noted

 

Narrative Information

 

CNN, Oct 11: “….The storm made landfall Wednesday evening [Oct 9] near Siesta Key, Florida, as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane before ripping through the state as a Category 1 storm — destroying homes, roads, power lines, trees and buildings….”

 

Sources

 

CBS News. “Hurricane Milton leaves path of destruction across Florida, at least 16 dead.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/hurricane-milton-2024/

 

Central Florida Public Media, 90.7 FM News. “Four deaths in Volusia County tied to Hurricane Milton.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.cfpublic.org/2024-10-10/four-deaths-in-volusia-county-tied-to-hurricane-milton

 

CNN. “Hurricane Milton death toll mounts as the destruction is laid bare.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/hurricane-milton-florida-damage-10-11-24/index.html

 

Daytona Beach News-Journal (John Dunbar). “Hurricane Milton victim from Orange City identified.” 10-13-2024. Accessed 10-14-2024 at: https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/weather/hurricane/2024/10/13/hurricane-victim-from-orange-city-identified/75659311007/

 

Florida Today (J. D. Gallop). “Indian Harbour Beach woman listed among Hurricane Milton-related deaths.” 10-17-2024. Accessed 10-17-2024 at: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/10/17/indian-harbour-beach-woman-listed-among-hurricane-milton-related-deaths/75704670007/

 

Fox local, Josh Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in Florida: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024. Accessed 10-19-2024 at:

https://www.aol.com/news/hurricane-milton-deaths-florida-county-011444633.html

 

Fox Weather. “Florida’s resilience tested as Milton’s aftermath unfolds while death toll stands at 21.” 10-14-2024. Accessed 10-14-2024 at:

https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/hurricane-milton-power-outages-storm-recovery

 

Gray News. “Woman last seen heading to emergency hurricane shelter found dead in submerged car.” 10-15-2024. Accessed 10-15-2024 at: https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2024/10/15/woman-last-seen-heading-emergency-hurricane-shelter-found-dead-submerged-car/

 

Herald-Tribune, Sarasota. “Hurricane Milton death toll at 17 Friday across Florida.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/weather/hurricane/2024/10/11/hurricane-milton-deaths-florida-tornado-surge-flooding-trees/75624956007/

 

NewsNation. “Biden tours Milton damage in Florida, 23 deaths reported.” 10-14-2024. Accessed 10-14-2024 at: https://www.newsnationnow.com/weather/biden-to-tour-milton-damage-in-florida-993k-still-without-power/

 

Palm Beach Post, FL. “Charlotte County resident dies at Bradenton hospital during Hurricane Milton.” 10-15-2024. Accessed 10-16-2024 at: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/manatee/2024/10/15/medical-examiner-confirms-charlotte-county-casualty-during-milton/75684746007/

 

People.com. “What We Know About the Victims of Hurricane Milton…” 10-14-2024. Accessed 10-15-2024 at: https://people.com/what-we-know-about-the-victims-of-hurricane-milton-8727954

 

Tallahassee Democrat, FL. “Florida death toll from Hurricane Milton: Storm now has claimed at least 17 lives.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/hurricane/2024/10/10/florida-death-toll-from-milton-at-least-10-confirmed-as-of-thursday/75608240007/

 

Treasure Coast Palm, Pirt St. Lucie, FL. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 25 a week after landfall in Florida.” 10-16-2024. Accessed 10-16-2024 at: https://www.tcpalm.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/10/16/hurricane-milton-victims-florida-died/75648138007/

 

USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024. Accessed 10-15-2024 at: https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/weather/hurricane/2024/10/15/hurricane-milton-death-toll-florida-tuesday/75683596007/

 

WNKY News 40. “Hurricane Milton could be one of the most expensive…” 10-21-2024. Accessed 10-27-2024 at:

Hurricane Milton could be one of the most expensive storms in the US

 

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL. “Death toll in St. Lucie County due to Hurricane Milton rises to 7.” 10-15-2024. Accessed 10-15-2024 at: https://www.wptv.com/news/treasure-coast/region-st-lucie-county/death-toll-in-st-lucie-county-due-to-hurricane-milton-rises-to-7

 

WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “At least 6 people across Tampa Bay dead from Hurricane Milton impacts.” 10-11-2024. Accessed 10-11-2024 at: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/hurricane/hurricane-milton/hurricane-milton-deaths/67-77a2b1ed-02c5-4c1e-85e5-7778f70bc6f6

 

 

[1] Not used – no indication of sources or specifics.

[2] “More than 30 deaths reported in Florida have been attributed to Hurricane Milton. At least 14 counties have reported a storm-related death, according to the Florida Department of Law Enfocement.:

[3] Cites FL Department of Law Enforcement and notes that local agencies determine whether a death is storm-related.

[4] “A 78-year-old Indian Harbour Beach woman who was found dead on her oceanfront balcony after Hurricane Milton’s passage is one of 25 fatalities across Florida attributed to the destructive storm….The unidentified woman was found lying on the balcony’s painted concrete floor, near the hurricane shutters. There were no signs of trauma or foul play. Strong winds and rain from Hurricane Milton had lashed the shore as the storm trekked across the state. Investigators said the woman had apparently moved plastic balcony patio chairs into her dining room and may have been attempting to close her hurricane shutters when she either slipped on a wet floor or had a medical episode.” (Florida Today. “Indian Harbour Beach woman listed among Hurricane Milton-related deaths.” 10-17-2024.)

[5] Palm Beach Post. “Charlotte County resident dies at Bradenton hospital during Hurricane Milton.” 10-15-2024.

[6] Herald-Tribune, Sarasota. “Hurricane Milton death toll at 17 Friday across Florida.” 10-11-2024.

[7] Fox local, Josh Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in Florida: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024.

[8] Fox local, Josh Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in Florida: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024.

[9] WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “At least 6 people across Tampa Bay dead from Hurricane Milton impacts.” 10-11-2024. “Based on the preliminary investigation, ‘post-hurricane restoration efforts were being done on the property, when the limb fell,’ police said…” (USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.)

[10] WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “At least 6 people across Tampa Bay dead from Hurricane Milton impacts.” 10-11-2024.

[11] USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024. Victim identified as Dennis Danyi, 64, who had gone to his mother’s home to assist.

[12] Fox local, Josh Frigerio. “Hurricane Milton deaths in Florida: County-by-county reports.” 10-18-2024.

[13] Cites “Medical Examiner.”

[14] USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

[15] USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

[16] Gray News. “Woman last seen heading to emergency hurricane shelter found dead in submerged car.” 10-15-2024.

[17] Two people confirmed dead in St. Petersburg, according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Tony Holloway.

[18] Herald-Tribune, Sarasota. “Hurricane Milton death toll at 17 Friday across Florida.” 10-11-2024. Victim identified as Bruce Kinsler, 68.

[19] Died from injuries Oct. 12. District 19 Medical Examiner’s Office cited as source. (WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL. “Death toll in St. Lucie County due to Hurricane Milton rises to 7.” 10-15-2024.)

[20] WTSP 10, Tampa Bay. “At least 6 people across Tampa Bay dead from Hurricane Milton impacts.” 10-11-2024.

[21] People.com. “What We Know About the Victims of Hurricane Milton…” 10-14-2024.

[22] USA Today. “Hurricane Milton death toll up to 24, according to FDLE.” 10-15-2024.

1941 – Apr 7, USN Consolidated PBY-1 Catalina crash ~2M off Machipongo Inlet, VA–   10

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-2-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–10  AP. “Wreck of Giant Naval Bomber See Off Coast.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-8-1941, 1.

–10  Aviation Safety Network, Database, 1941. USN Consolidated PBY-1 Catalina.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. Database, 1941:

“Date:                          Monday 7 April 1941

“Type:                         Consolidated PBY-1 Catalina

“Owner/operator:        US Navy

“Registration:              0134

“MSN:                         33
“Fatalities:                   Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10

“Other fatalities:          0

“Aircraft damage:       Destroyed, written off

“Location:                   Atlantic Ocean off Machipongo Inlet, VA – USA

“Phase:                        En route

“Nature:                       Military

“Departure airport:      NAS Norfolk, VA

“Destination airport:    NAS Quonset Point, RI

“Narrative:                   Aircraft crashed in the ocean while on a ferry flight.”

Newspaper

April 8, AP: “Norfolk, Va., April 8. (AP) – A wrecked naval bomber was sighted off Cape Charles, VA., today by searchers for a big naval patrol craft which has been missing since yesterday with ten men aboard. Naval authorities here said that it is the missing ship….

“The Cape Charles wreckage was sighted from a Navy plane. Coast Guard headquarters here said that one of their lifeboats, equipped with two-way radio, had reached the scene of the wreckage and had reported that no sign of life was visible in the area. The boat was from the Metomkin Inlet station. A Coast Guard plane flew over the scene and radioed that a yellow life jacket was floating near the wreckage.

“Messages received from the searchers did not say wheth3r they had seen any survivors of the two officers and eight enlisted men aboard the bomber when she took off from here for the naval air station at Quonset Point, R. I.

“The wreckage was sighted about two miles east of Great Machipongo inlet, off Hog Island, Cape Charles, VA. The broken bomber was sighted by a plane attached to a naval air carrier. The plane was not able to land. The pilot flashed word that he also sighted a life raft, but could not tell if anyone was on it.

“The Coast Guard immediately dispatched the cutters Dionne and Rush to the scene, as well as three lifeboats from stations near the scene of the crash.

“It is believed that the giant plane crashed into the sea after running into fog shortly after taking off.

“The Lakehurst (N.J.) naval air station reported that its biggest blimp, the TC14, was about 30 miles from the scene, and proceeding there at once.

“The missing flying boat was piloted by Ensign G. N. Blackburn, naval reservist, of Lenni Mills, Pa., with Ensign G. W. Marson, of Cambridge City, Ind., as co-pilot. The two were assigned to transfer the plane to Quonset Point after it had been based with the Navy’s utility squadron here for several months. With them on the flight were these enlisted men:

T. F. Mueller, chief photographer, San Diego, Calif.;

L. C. Luton, radioman, first class, Little Cypress, Ky.;

F. W. Crowe, aviation machinist mate, first class, Boulevard Heights, Md.;

L. L. Gurganus, radioman, second class, Parrish, Ala.;

W. Broadhurst, aviation machinist mate, third class, Albany, N.Y.;

F. McElrath, aviation ordnance man, third class, Newburgh, N. Y.;

B. A. Taylor, seaman, second class, Rutledge, Ala.’

A. P. Fasano, seaman, second class, Port Washington, L. I.

“….” (Associated Press. “Wreck of Giant Naval Bomber See Off Coast.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-8-1941, pp. 1-2.)

April 9, AP: “Norfolk, April 8. (AP) – The body of one member of the crew of a naval patrol bomber which plunged into the sea off Great Machipongo Inlet Monday was brought into port last night by a destroyer which had been dragging the  sea bottom for several hours….” (Associated Press. “Destroyer Finds Victim’s Body.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-9-1941, p. 6.)

April 10, AP: “Norfolk, April 10. (AP) – the Navy and Coast Guard sought without success today to locate the wreckage and other bodies of the ten-man crew of a navy patrol bomber which crashed into the sea Monday, apparently at Great Machipongo Inlet off the Virginia Eastern Ashore.

“Two bodies and fragments of two or three others were found Tuesday by craft searching the area.

“….The bomber, en route to Quonset Point, R.I., disappeared after reporting by radio ten minutes after takeoff.

“The Destroyer Lansdale Tuesday night brought here the bodies of P. F. Mueller, navy chief photographer, of San Diego, Calif., and one other member of the crew. Identification of the second body was being attempted through fingerprints.” (Associated Press. “No Additional Bodies Found In Bomber Crash.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-10-1941, Section Two, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Destroyer Finds Victim’s Body.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-9-1941, p. 6.

Accessed 10-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winchester-evening-star-apr-09-1941-p-6/

Associated Press. “No Additional Bodies Found In Bomber Crash.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-10-1941, Section Two, p.1. Accessed 10-2-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winchester-evening-star-apr-10-1941-p-9/

Associated Press. “Wreck of Giant Naval Bomber See Off Coast.” Winchester Evening Star, VA, 4-8-1941, pp.1-2. Accessed 10-2-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/winchester-evening-star-apr-08-1941-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. Database, 1941. USN Consolidated PBY-1 Catalina crash off Machipongo Inlet VA, April 7. Accessed 10-2-2024 at: https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/301212

2024 — Aug 31, bus crash due to front tire failure, I-20 near Bovina, Warren County, MS–7

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 9-3-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–7  Clarion Ledger, Jackson MS. “Identities released for 7 passengers…bus…in MS.” 9-2-2024.

–7  USA Today. “Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says.” 9-1-2024.

Narrative Information

Sep 1, USA Today: “The deadly bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others early Saturday occurred after the vehicle experienced a tire failure, causing it to run off the road and overturn, officials and authorities said.

 

“Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, are conducting a probe into Saturday’s crash that left seven people dead and another 36 people injured. The collision occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on Interstate 20 near Vicksburg, Mississippi, when the bus left the roadway and overturned.

 

“The bus, which authorities described as a 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus, traveled westbound when its left front tire failed, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference Sunday. The bus then moved onto an embankment and rolled over on its left side….

 

“The transit company has over 20 years of experience and provides trips between more than 100 destinations throughout Mexico and the United States, according to Autobuses Regiomontanos’ website….”

 

Sep 2, Clarion Ledger: “Authorities have released the identities of the seven people who died after a bus crashed in Warren County.

 

“On Saturday, a 2018 Volvo Commercial Passenger bus filled with 41 passengers and two drivers overturned on Interstate 20 West near Bovina shortly after 12:30 a.m. The crash resulted in the death of seven people and injured 30 others.

 

“The Mississippi Highway Patrol reported Regiomontanos Autobuuse, the bus company, was en route from Atlanta to Dallas. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to a left tire of the bus failing, which caused the bus to wreck.

 

“Mississippi Highway Patrol officials released Monday the following identities of the victims who died:

  • Miguel Arriaga, 61 of Mexico
  • Victor A. Garcia, 32 of Mexico
  • Moises A. Garcia, 31 of Mexico
  • Kain Gutierrez, 8 of Mexico
  • Perla Gutierrez, 16 of Mexico
  • Elia Guzman, 63 of Mexico
  • Angelica Palomino, 16 of Mexico

“Kain Gutierrez, 8, died at Merit Health in Vicksburg, while the other six victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to MHP. Dozens of other passengers who were injured were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

“National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman said during a briefing on Sunday, the agency will be in Mississippi for at least a week to investigate the crash, along with MHP and the Mississippi Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division….”

 

Sources

 

Clarion Ledger, Jackson MS. “Identities released for 7 passengers who died after bus carrying 43 people crashed in MS.” 9-2-2024. Accessed 9-3-2024 at: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2024/09/02/mississippi-bus-crash-overturn-left-7-dead-identities-released/75047567007/

 

USA Today. “Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says.” 9-1-2024. Accessed 9-3-2024 at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/01/mississippi-bus-crash-tire-failure-report/75042753007/

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 — May 25-26, storms and tornadoes, TX (7), OK (2), AR (8), KY (5), VA (1)        –22-23

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-27-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–22-23  Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below. We note two sources that note “at least

22 deaths,” though it does not appear that the AP source includes the VA death and it does

not appear that the NYT source includes the 5th KY deaths (heart attack of a man cutting

fallen trees).

–22  AP. “At least 22 dead in Memorial Day weekend storms that devastated…” 5-28-2024.

–22  New York Times. “Storms Snarl Memorial Day Travel After at Least 22 Killed.” 5-27-2024.

–21  Axios. “Deadly tornado outbreak kills at least 21 as severe storms target East Coast. 5-27-2024.

–19  NBC News. “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024.

–15  USA Today. “‘Dangerous out there’: 15 dead as tornadoes slam Texas, Okla., Ark., Ky.” 5-26-2024.

Arkansas        (8)

–8  Arkansas Advocate. “Severe weather, tornadoes kill 8 Arkansans.” 5-26-2024. (Cites state officials.)

–8  Fox Weather. “At least 8 dead in Arkansas as tornado outbreak carves paths…” 5-27-2024.

–8  NBC News. “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024.

–5  USA Today. “…15 dead as tornadoes slam Texas, Okla., Ark., Ky.” 5-26-2024. [Cites AP.]

Breakout of Arkansas severe weather deaths by county:

–1  Baxter County. Fox Weather. “At least 8 dead in Arkansas as tornado outbreak…” 5-27-2024.

–3  Benton County. Arkansas Advocate. “Severe weather, tornadoes kill 8 Arkansans.” 5-26-2024

            –1  COPD user “who did not have oxygen when the power went out.”

–1  Boone Co., Olvey, NBC News. “Deadly storms sweep through South…” 5-26-2024 update.

–3  Marion County. Arkansas Advocate. “Severe weather, tornadoes kill 8 Arkansans.” 5-26-2024

Kentucky        (5)

–5  AP. “At least 22 dead in Memorial Day weekend storms that devastated…” Fox5. 5-28-2024

–4  Axios. “Deadly tornado outbreak kills at least 21 as severe storms target East Coast.” 5-27-2024.

–1  Caldwell County. Male; heart attack while cutting fallen trees.[1]

–1  Louisville. NBC News. “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024.

–1  Hardin County. Female, 62. Wave3.com. “4 dead from severe storms in Kentucky…” 5-27-2024.

–1  Hopkins County. Female, 48. Wave3.com. “4 dead from severe storms in Kentucky…” 5-27-2024.

–1  Mercer County. Female, 67.[2] Tree fell on a house. NBC News. “At least 19 dead…” 5-27-2024.

Oklahoma      (2)

–2  NBC News. “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024.

–2  Mayes County. Females. The Oklahoman. “Two killed during Saturday storms…” 5-26-2024.

Texas               (7)

–7  Cooke County near Valley View tornado (Sheriff Sappington). Fox Weather. “Children…”

            –2  2 and 5-year old children (the two children were siblings according to the Sheriff.)[3]

            –3  Mother, two children. NBCDFW. “Mother…two children killed …tornado drags mobile home.”

                        –1  Laura Esparza (mother).

                        –1  Miranda, 15 (daughter)

                        –1  Marco, 9 (son). (The three were sheltering on bathroom floor.)

Virginia          (1)

–1  Thunderstorm. NYT. “Storms Snarl Memorial Day Travel After at Least 22 Killed.” 5-27-2024.

–1  Wingina area, Nelson Co., May 26. Thunderstorm; tree limb falls onto vehicle victim sheltering in.[4]

Narrative Information

 May 26, USA Today: “Powerful storms and tornadoes sweeping across the nation’s midsection Sunday killed at least 15 people in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky, injuring scores, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the region and delaying the start of the iconic Indianapolis 500.

 

“In Texas, Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said at least seven people died − four of them children − when an apparent tornado ripped through a neighborhood near Valley View, 60 miles north of Dallas near the Oklahoma border. “Many” people were injured early Sunday when the storm struck a nearby travel center and gas station complex where more than 60 residents had sought shelter, he said. Sappington said search and rescue efforts were complicated by downed trees and power lines that blocked access to roads….

 

“At least five people died in Arkansas, the Associated Press reported. Video and photos posted on social media showed homes destroyed in Decatur, Arkansas….” (USA Today. “‘Dangerous out there’: 15 dead as tornadoes slam Texas, Okla., Ark., Ky. Live updates.” 5-26-2024.)

 

May 26, NBC News: “Seven people died in Texas, two in Oklahoma and two more in Arkansas overnight after violent storms and tornadoes swept through the region, overturning trucks, smashing homes and trapping dozens in a collapsed gas station.

 

“Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said seven people died in the Texas community some 50 miles north of Dallas. Between 60 and 80 people were believed to be trapped in a Shell station that had collapsed, he added. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported from the Shell station at a truck stop, and those who took shelter appeared to have been evacuated by Sunday morning.

 

“In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the weather service said radar had confirmed multiple tornadoes and hail 2 inches in diameter. Two people were killed in nearby Mayes County and at least six others taken for treatment, said Michael Dunham, deputy director of emergency management for Mayes County.

 

“Officials for Benton County, Arkansas, said one person had been killed and “multiple” people injured in the area due to the storms. Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway said emergency response teams were on search-and-rescue duty throughout the night.

 

“A second death — a 26-year-old woman — was confirmed in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, according to Daniel Bolen, with the county’s emergency management office. The woman was found outside of a destroyed home.

 

“The dangerous storms and tornadoes sweeping through the nation’s midsection also overturned 18-wheelers, smashed mobile homes and toppled power lines….” (NBC News Rebecca Cohen, Dennis Romero, Christine Rapp, Freddie Clayton). “Deadly storms sweep through South, leaving trail of destruction in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma.” 5-25-2024, updated 5-26-2024.)

 

May 27, NBC News: “At least 19 deaths have been reported after a series of severe storms and tornadoes battered the South and the Great Plains over Memorial Day weekend, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power. Eight storm-related deaths were reported in Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at a news conference Sunday evening; seven storm-related deaths were reported in Cooke County, Texas; two in Mayes County, Oklahoma, and two in Kentucky: one in Louisville and another in Mercer County, where a tree fell on a house.

 

“The dead in Arkansas included a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient who depended on an oxygen concentrator that stopped working when power went out, Huckabee Sanders said. Other deaths included a person who died of a heart attack and another who perished when a downed tree or branch hit a trailer, she said.

 

“Residents in Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee were hit with twisters, heavy winds and flooding in terrible conditions that began Saturday and moved into Sunday. Tornado watches and warnings were issued across multiple states Sunday night.

 

“More than 334,000 customers were without power Sunday evening in Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kansas, according to poweroutage.us….

 

“In Arkansas, a 26-year-old woman was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, said Daniel Bolen of the county’s Office of Emergency Management. The weather service confirmed a tornado in Boone County on Sunday.

 

“An additional death in Arkansas was reported in Benton County, one other was reported in Baxter County, and two more were reported in Marion County. The eight deaths in Arkansas so far have added three to the weekend storm total for the U.S.

 

“The dead in Texas were ages 2 to 72, Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters Sunday. They included two children, ages 2 and 5, and three family members who were found together in a home near the small community of Valley View, Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington said…. More than 100 injuries were reported, and an estimated 200 structures were destroyed, he said. About a third of the state’s counties have been added to the governor’s disaster declaration following recent storms, he said.

 

“The National Weather Service has so far confirmed two EF-2 tornadoes in Texas – one that tracked across Montague, Cooke and Denton counties and another in Collin County.

 

“One person died in Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Sunday on X, following “the severe weather that just moved through the area,” and some structural damage was reported. The man was believed to have been hit by a tree when he was found dead, NBC affiliate WAVE reported.” (NBC News (Rebecca Cohen and Doha Madani). “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024.)

 

Sources

 

Arkansas Advocate. “Severe weather, tornadoes kill 8 Arkansans.” 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://arkansasadvocate.com/briefs/severe-weather-tornadoes-kill-8-arkansans/#:~:text=By%3A%20Antoinette%20Grajeda%20%2D%20May%2026%2C%202024%2011%3A01%20pm&text=State%20and%20federal%20officials%20said,eight%20people%20in%20north%20Arkansas.

 

Associated Press. “At least 22 dead in Memorial Day weekend storms that devastated several US states.” Fox5Sandiego.com. 5-28-2024. Accessed 5-29-2024 at: https://fox5sandiego.com/weather/ap-latest-deadly-weather-in-us-kills-at-least-18-as-storms-carve-path-of-ruin-across-multiple-states/

 

Axios (Andrew Freedman and Rebecca Falconer). “Deadly tornado outbreak kills at least 21 as severe storms target East Coast. 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.axios.com/2024/05/25/severe-weather-tornadoes-oklahoma

 

DCNewsNow.com (Katelyn Harlow).“Person killed after thunderstorm winds down tree limb onto vehicle in Nelson County.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/virginia/person-killed-after-thunderstorm-winds-down-tree-limb-onto-vehicle-in-nelson-county/

 

Fox Weather (Hillary Andrews). “At least 8 dead in Arkansas as tornado outbreak carves paths through towns.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024

 

Fox Weather (Emily Speck). “Children among 7 dead in Texas after deadliest tornado since 2015.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/death-toll-texas-tornado-travel-stop

 

NBC News (Rebecca Cohen and Doha Madani). “At least 19 dead as tornadoes and storms batter central U.S.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/350000-power-missouri-arkansas-kentucky-storms-batter-middle-america-rcna154115

 

NBC News (Rebecca Cohen, Dennis Romero, Christine Rapp, Freddie Clayton). “Deadly storms sweep through South, leaving trail of destruction in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma.” 5-25-2024, updated 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/severe-storms-strike-eastern-half-us-memorial-day-weekend-heat-hits-so-rcna154076

 

NBCDFW Keenan Willard). “Mother and her two children killed after tornado drags mobile home.” 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/tornado-kills-mother-two-children-in-cooke-county/3551507/

 

New York Times. “Storms Snarl Memorial Day Travel After at Least 22 Killed.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/us/memorial-day-weekend-storms.html

 

The Oklahoman (John Dulaney). “Two killed during Saturday storms, Oklahoma authorities confirm. What we know.” 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2024/05/26/two-killed-during-storms-that-moved-through-mayes-county-oklahoma-on-saturday-when-is-next-round/73863518007/

 

USA Today (John Bacon). “‘Dangerous out there’: 15 dead as tornadoes slam Texas, Okla., Ark., Ky. Live updates.” 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-26-2024 at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/05/26/texas-oklahoma-tornado-severe-weather-live-updates/73861776007/

 

Wave3.com. “4 dead from severe storms in Kentucky; NWS says tornado hit near Meade-Hardin County line.” 5-27-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.wave3.com/2024/05/27/4-dead-severe-storms-kentucky-nws-says-tornado-hit-near-meade-hardin-county-line/

 

WFAA.com. (Pete Freedman and Richard Solomon). “Seven confirmed dead – including children – after an EF-2 tornado hit Cooke County Saturday night.” 5-26-2024. Accessed 5-27-2024 at: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/confirmed-fatalities-dozens-injured-cooke-county-reported-tornado-may-25/287-ed2cca36-a8fe-46be-8297-563609938e1f

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] AP. “At least 22 dead in Memorial Day weekend storms that devastated…” Fox5, San Diego. 5-28-2024.

[2] Wave3.com. “4 dead from severe storms in Kentucky; NWS says tornado hit near Meade-Hardin County line.” 5-27-2024.

[3] WFAA.com. (Pete Freedman and Richard Solomon). “Seven confirmed dead – including children – after an EF-2 tornado hit Cooke County Saturday night.” 5-26-2024.

[4] DCNewsNow.com (Katelyn Harlow).“Person killed after thunderstorm winds down tree limb onto vehicle in Nelson County.” 5-27-2024.

2024 — May 14, pickup hits migrant farm worker bus, State Rd. 40, Marion County, FL–  8

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-15-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–8  NBC News. “8 dead after bus carrying farm workers in Florida hit by truck…” 5-14-2024.

Narrative Information

May 14, NBC: “Eight people were killed and 40 others were hospitalized after a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck and overturned early Tuesday morning in north central Florida, officials said.

 

“The driver of the pickup, Bryan Maclean Howard, survived the wreck and was later charged with eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter, said David Kerner, executive director of the state department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle.

….

“The deadly collision happened around 6:35 a.m. on a hilly and rain-slicked rural road about 80 miles north of Orlando, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The bus, a 2010 International, was heading west on State Road 40 when “for unknown reasons” a 2001 Ford Ranger “traveled toward the centerline” and the vehicles sideswiped each other, FHP Lt. Pat Riordan told reporters. The bus, which was carrying approximately 50 people, barreled off the roadway, went through a fence, struck a tree and overturned in a field, Riordan said.

 

“Forty of the bus passengers were hospitalized, Riordan said. At least eight of them were critically injured, according to the Marion County Fire Rescue service, which had initially reported that a total of 53 people had been injured. Riordan warned there was a “high probability” that the death count could rise because many of the injured were “in very serious condition.”….” (NBC News (Marlene Lenthang and Corky Siemaszko). “8 dead after bus carrying farm workers in Florida hit by truck, driver of truck charged with DUI.” 5-14-2024.)

 

Sources

 

NBC News (Marlene Lenthang and Corky Siemaszko). “8 dead after bus carrying farm workers in Florida hit by truck, driver of truck charged with DUI.” 5-14-2024. Accessed 5-14-2024 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/8-dead-37-hospitalized-severe-bus-crash-florida-rcna152158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1944 — Feb 16, USN Air Transport R4D-1 Flight Missing, NAS Seattle to Kodiak, AK  —     14

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-13-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–14  Aviation Safety Network. USN Douglas R4D-1 missing, Seattle WA to Kodiak AK. 16Feb1944.

–14  Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (00001 to 10316). 9-21-2011

Narrative Information

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944:

“Date”                         Wednesday 16 February 1944

….

“Type:                         Douglas R4D-1 (DC-3)

“Owner/operator:        United States Navy

“Registration:              01989

“MSN:                         4553

“Year of manufacture:1942

“Fatalities:                   14 / Occupants 14

“Aircraft damage:       Aircraft missing, written off

“Category:                   Accident

“Location:                   between Seattle, WA and Kodiak, AK – USA

“Phase:                        En route

“Nature:                      Military

“Departure airport:      Seattle NAS, WA

“Destination airport:   Kodiak NAS, AK

“Narrative:                  Missing on a flight between Seattle, WA and Kodiak, AK.”

 

Baugher: “…. Douglas R4D-1….01989 (c/n 4553) to US Navy Jul 27, 1942 – VR-2 – missing on flight from NAS Seattle, WA to Kodiak, AK Feb 16, 1944. 14 missing

 

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1944. USN Douglas R4D-1 missing, Seattle WA to Kodiak AK. 16 February 1944.

Accessed 4-13-2024 at: https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/340293

 

Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (00001 to 10316. 9-21-2011 revision). Accessed 4-13-2024 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries1.html

 

 

 

 

 

1937 – Feb 9, United Air Lines Flight 23 crash, San Francisco Bay, CA  — 11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 11-16-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

—  11  Bureau of Air Commerce, Accident Board. Report of the Accident Board.  April 12, 1937.

—  11  Notable California Aviation Disasters.  The 1930s.

Narrative Information

Bureau of Air Commerce: “On February 9, 1937, at approximately 8:50 p. m. at a point in the Bay about 2 miles off shore from the San Francisco Airport, an airplane of United States registry while being flown as a part of scheduled interstate operation, carrying mail, passengers and express, met with an accident which resulted in death to all on board, and the complete destruction of the aircraft….

 

“The aircraft, a Douglas, model DC-3A…was owned by the United Air Lines Transport Corporation and at the time of the accident as being operated on the Oakland Division of this Corporation as Trip No. 23, scheduled from Los Angeles to Oakland, California, with one stop, at San Francisco….

 

“The flight was cleared from the Union Air Terminal, near Los Angeles, on schedule at 7 00 p. m. and was due to arrive at the San Francisco Airport at 9.00 p. m. Good flying weather existed throughout the flight and nothing unusual was reported enroute.  At 8:44 p. m. when the flight had approached to within approximately 10 miles of San Francisco, the crew radioed to the control tower operator at the airport giving their position and requesting surface winds and directions for landing. The control tower replied that the wind was practically calm and requested the pilot to land south to north, which in effect meant to use the North-South runway. The crew acknowledged these directions.

 

“At 8:47 p.m. when approximately 3 miles from the airport, the crew again contacted the central tower stating that they would use the East-West runway. The control tower operator immediately acknowledged this message giving his approval. This was the last radio contact with the flight. However, the airplane was in sight of several witnesses on the airport from that time on.

 

“The airplane as observed to fly over the airport at an altitude estimate by several witnesses to be between 400 and 500 feet. Then just over the airport, the airplane started a wide turn to the right and out over the Bay, which, if completed, would have described a complete circle over the water and placed it in position for a direct approach to the East-West runway on the airport. The accident occurred before this turn was completed and witnesses vary in their impressions as to whether the turn to the point of accident was continuous or made up of two distinct turns.

 

“While in the turn and flying at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, the airplane was observed to assume a descending angle, estimated to be between 35 and 40 degrees, which continued up to the time of striking the water. The total time for this descent was estimated to be four seconds. One witness believed that the airplane was banked at quite an angle during this descent and the subsequent damage appears to bear this out.

 

“The evidence indicates that the right wing of the airplane contacted the water first and was torn off almost simultaneously with the right propeller, engine and a portion of the right nacelle structure. The propeller was found about 75 feet to the rear of the engine and the wing parts, which were scattered about the vicinity in a radius of approximately 800 feet.. The main body of the airplane was found approximately one mile away from this point in the direction of a four mile per hour tide which was running at the time. Most of the wreckage was recovered through dragging operations which lasted over a period of three weeks.

 

“A detailed investigation of this wreckage showed no evidence of failure the air of the airplane structure, engines or propellers. The separation of right propeller from the engine and the engine from the wing was proven beyond a reasonable doubt to be the result of the impact with the water….

 

“It is the opinion of the Accident Board that the probable cause of this accident was accidental jamming of the elevator controls as the result of a microphone being inadvertently dropped and lodging in such a position that the crew was unable to prevent rapid descent of the airplane.”  (Bureau of Air Commerce, Accident Board. Report of the Accident Board.  April 12, 1937.)

 

Notable California Aviation Disasters:

 

“Date / Time: Tuesday, February 9, 1937 / 9:02 p.m.

“Operator / Flight No.: United Air Lines / Flight 23

“Location: San Francisco Bay, Calif.

 

“Details and Probable Cause:  The United Air Lines aircraft, a twin-engine Douglas DC-3A-197 (NC16073), was nearing the end of its flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco and carrying eight passengers and a crew of three.  While flying in clear weather and descending on a routine nighttime approach to Mills Field (today’s San Francisco International Airport), the DC-3 inexplicably continued its 45-degree descent until it crashed into the waters of San Francisco Bay approximately 1-1/4 miles from the airfield.   All 11 persons on board were killed in the crash; some of the victims’ bodies were never recovered.

 

“Investigators were able to salvage and examine the wreckage, but the plane’s unexplained dive remained a mystery and the cause of the crash was thought to be pilot error.  However, five weeks after the accident, an American Airlines DC-3 was on its takeoff roll at Newark, New Jersey, when its pilot found that the aircraft’s controls had jammed.   He was able to safely abort the takeoff, and a closer examination of the jammed controls revealed that the co-pilot’s radio microphone had fallen off its hook and become wedged in a small, “V”-shaped recess at the base of the control yoke.   When the pilot pried the microphone loose, the aircraft’s controls once again operated normally.  Details of the Newark near-disaster were relayed to the investigators still probing the San Francisco accident, and the officials took another look at the wreckage.   There, amid the tangled debris of the cockpit, they discovered the United co-pilot’s microphone still wedged in the recess at the base of the yoke.   The Douglas Aircraft Company notified all DC-3 operators of the problem and a rubber boot was installed over the recess, a solution to prevent any similar accidents from occurring.

 

“The United Air Lines crash at San Francisco was the first fatal accident involving the legendary Douglas DC-3, which entered commercial airline service in 1936.”  (Notable California Aviation Disasters.  The 1930s.)

Sources

 

Bureau of Air Commerce, Accident Board. Report of the Accident Board…United Air Lines... San Francisco, California, February 9, 1937. Washington, U.S. Department of Commerce. April 12, 1937. Accessed 11-16-2024 at: file:///C:/Users/Wayne/Downloads/dot_32994_DS1.pdf

 

Notable California Aviation Disasters. “The 1930s.” Oct 23, 2008 update. Accessed 2-21-2009 at: http://www.jaydeebee1.com/crash30s.html

 

 

 

1941 — Feb 7, Fire, Salvation Army Homeless Shelter/Lodging, N. Akard St., Dallas, TX–13

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 9-29-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— 13  National Fire Protect. Assoc. Spreadsheet on Large Loss of Life Fires (as of Feb 2003).[1]

— 13  San Antonio Express, TX. “Fire Toll 13.” 2-14-1941, p. 5.

Narrative Information

Feb 7: “Dallas, Tex., Feb. 7. – AP – Five unidentified transients were burned fatally, six were near death and at least 20 others injured severely in a fire that swept through a Salvation Army second-story hotel here tonight. Between 25 and 30 nude men were trapped in the rear of the blazing building, the men’s lodge and mission at 313½ North Akard street.  The fire started in a small front room in which all the clothing of the sleeping men had been piled….

 

“Two of those trapped in the rear were cripples and could not escape.  Several of those who jumped from rear windows were taken to hospitals with broken legs and serious burns….Every available ambulance in the city was pressed into service.

 

“William George Gilks, divisional Salvation Army commander, said 50 men were lodged in the hotel….


“One man hung out of the window and screamed for help but wouldn’t jump.  Finally he was overcome and just collapsed over the window frame.

 

“Fire Chief L. M. Funk said the fire was caused by ‘improper use of inflammable[2] chemical and natural gas.’  ‘Indications are that the fire originated in the delousing room where clothing of the men was sterilized,’ Chief Funk said.  ‘With a small open gas stove the clothes were heated until the bugs dropped off onto the floor where a chemical killed them. The chemical was inflammable.  It was a misuse of gas. We do not know what the chemical was but we are going to have an analysis made of it’.”  (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Five Men Burn to Death as Fire Hits Dallas Hotel. Many Others Hurt in Salvation Army Transients’ House.” 2-8-1941, p. 1.)

 

Feb 8:  “Dallas, Feb. 8. – (AP) – Eight men, mostly homeless wanderers, died and more than a score were scared and injured trying to escape a roaring wall or flames which trapped them in a second-floor Salvation Army lodging in downtown Dallas early today. Another 25 panic-stricken transients fought their way through the inferno to safety, some braving flame through a window.  Many were forced out into freezing weather unclothed.

 

“Salvation Army officials, headed by Major Ernest Pickering, pored over half-burned records trying to identify the dead….

 

“Some of the burned and injured were not expected to survive. Baylor University Hospital, a pioneer in the use of a blood bank, supplied plasma (the dried elements of blood) for numerous fast transfusions to the dying and injured.

 

“The fire started about 11:10 last night in a small cabinet-like room at the front of the second-floor lodging.  This room was piled with clothing around a stove used to delouse the garments.  Outside, on benches, naked men sat waiting for their clothes.

 

“Brig. Gen. William George Gilks, Salvation Army divisional commander in Texas, said the door to the room must have been opened when the nude men saw smoke curling from the delousing room.  When they made their apparent effort to retrieve their clothes, he said, the draft spread the flames.

 

“The spreading flames, flushing across the tar-papered ceiling, threw the men into a panic.  Those who were dressed dashed to the stairway, the only exit, which is at the front and side of the room.  They made it to safety.  Others, nude or wrapped only in sheets or blankets, flung themselves through the flames and tore down the stairway.  Doom lay in wait for the others.  Thinking there was a rear exit, they rushed to the back of the building, but found only two windows between the flames and safety….

 

“Upstairs eight men were sprawled, two through the window, others stacked within a few feet.  Evidently overcome or burned to death as they struggled to get through. Fireman Kelsic Allen said some of the eight lying there were old men, and that nearly all were naked.  Under their bodies lay blankets of the type used by the army in 1917….”  (Denton Record-Chronicle, TX. “Eight Men Burn to Death When Fire Destroys Abode for Homeless in Dallas.” 2-8-1941, p. 1.)

 

Feb 8: “Dallas, Feb. 8. (AP) — Nine men and a boy perished today in a mauling, screaming crowd of homeless transients trapped by fire in a second-floor Salvation Army hotel. About 18 others who fought their way out of the inferno after flames had blocked the only stairway were in hospitals, at least five of them seriously burned or injured.  The death toll was expected to grow.

 

“An emergency call for blood donors went out from Baylor University Hospital’s blood bank after the equivalent of 196 transfusions had been administered the injured and dying. Salvation Army officials and employes immediately volunteered their blood.

 

“A story of heroics and pandemonium was related by one transient, who broke both legs in plunging from a window 35 feet to the ground….He told of what happened, pain from his shattered limbs halting him occasionally:

 

“About 11 p.m. last night about 55 men were lying in the row of cots which stretched to the rear of the big room. At the front sat several naked men, waiting for their clothes to come out of a small cabinet-like room called a “delouser.” In the delouser a gas fire burned, heating the clothes hung around it.  Smoke curled from around the door of the tiny room and someone ran in to grab the clothes. The flames roared out, flashing across the tar-papered ceiling.  The witness said he leaped from his cot, quickly tied two blankets together and reached for a third held by a neighbor. ‘He wouldn’t turn loose, so I slugged him and took it away.’’ He said he tied the third blanket to the others and rushed to a window at the rear of the room, pushing through a plunging mass of men making for the smoke-filled stairway. He anchored the tied blankets to a cot, smashed the window with a shovel and flung the make-shift rope through it. The windows open on an enclosed courtyard.

 

“The crowd of men at the stairway entrance turned back, unable to stand the wall of flame barring then way. Some got through, burned and blackened. The others made a rush for the rear window. One man, the witness said, was literally shoved out, dropping in a heap 35 feet below. The witness himself was shoved, toppling out the window but grasping the blanket rope before a body hurtled down on top of him. Men poured through the window until there was a pile… below. The press at the window grew and when firemen went in they found eight men, some dead, lying in and near it.

 

“Identification of the dead, made difficult because admittance records were destroyed or mutilated, gave this list of men who perished:

 

Julius Benson. 41, Little Rock, Ark.;[3]

an unidentified boy;

John B. Murberger, Dallas;

William H. Nugent, New York City;

James Edward White, who gave his address as 9 Main Street, Tulsa;

Gus Halb, St. Louis;

Oscar Lindley, Desdemona, Tex.;

Thomas Cook and

  1. M. Jenkins, addresses unknown.

The tenth man was not identified.

 

“Lindley, before he died, said he had a wife and a child living in Amarillo…”  (Midland Reporter-Telegram, TX. “Ten Transients Burn to Death in Salvation Army Hotel. Inferno Spreads Swiftly and Entraps Many Homeless on Building’s Second Floor…Eighteen Leap to Safety.” 2-9-1941, p. 1.)

 

Feb 13: “Dallas, Feb. 13. – (AP) – The 12th victim of the disastrous fire that swept the Salvation Army transient hotel last Friday night was Harry Brady, 56, of Dallas, succumbed today.”  (Denton Record-Chronicle, TX. “12th Victim of Dallas Fire Succumbs.” 2-13-1941, p. 4.)

 

Feb 14:  “Dallas, Tex., Feb. 13. – The toll in Dallas’ Salvation Army transient hotel fire of last Friday reached 13 today with the deaths of Harry Brady of Dallas and Leroy Jones, 50, of Bridgeport, Ill.”  (San Antonio Express, TX. “Fire Toll 13.” 2-14-1941, p. 5.)

 

Sources

 

Denton Record-Chronicle, TX. “12th Victim of Dallas Fire Succumbs.” 2-13-1941, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=68419771&sterm=fire+salvation+army

 

Denton Record-Chronicle, TX. “Eight Men Burn to Death When Fire Destroys Abode for Homeless in Dallas.” 2-8-1941, p. 1. Accessed 4-18-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=79813737&sterm=fire+salvation+army

 

Galveston Daily News, TX. “Five Men Burn to Death as Fire Hits Dallas Hotel.” 2-8-1941, p.1. http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=45246651&sterm

 

Midland Reporter-Telegram, TX. “Ten Transients Burn to Death in Salvation Army Hotel.” 2-9-1941, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=153508556&sterm

 

National Fire Protection Association. Spreadsheet on Large Loss of Life Fires (as of Feb 2003). (Email attachment to B. W. Blanchard from Jacob Ratliff, NFPA Archivist/Taxonomy Librarian, 7-8-2013.)

 

San Antonio Express, TX. “Fire Toll 13.” 2-14-1941, p. 5. Accessed 4-18-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=70678146&sterm=fire+salvation+army

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Has the date incorrectly as Feb 8.

[2] Flammable in today’s usage.

[3] “Services for Julius Benson, 41, night watchman who rescued three men from the blazing inferno here late Friday night before he collapsed, will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow.” (San Antonio Express, TX. “Mass Funeral Set in Victims of Fire.” 2-10-1941, p. A2.)

1943 – Jan 18, USAAF B-24D flies into Bassett Peak, Galiuro Mts. 43M NE Tucson, AZ–11

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-17-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–11  Baugher, Joseph.  1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296).  10-29-2011 rev.

–11  Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Aviation Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 244.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator….11887 flew into mountain south of Tucson, AZ Jan 18, 1943, killing all 11 onboard…..Finally located two months after the crash. The official cause of the accident was attributed to pilot error, although the accident report indicated that the tail section was not found in the wreckage (many years later it was found several miles away).  Speculation is that in flight structural failure caused the crash.”  (Baugher, Joseph.  1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296).  10-29-2011 revision.)

 

Mireles: “At 0327 MWT, a Consolidated B-24D crashed into Bassett Peak in the Galiuro Mountains 43 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, killing the crew of eleven. The airplane had taken off from Davis-Mountain Field at 0037 MWT on a routine bombing training mission and never returned. The bodies of the crew and the wreckage of the B-24 were found 3-7-43 by a CAP airplane. Ground parties did not reach the airplane until 3-10-43. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the airplane collided with the peak while in full flight with all four engines operating at cruise speed. Killed in the crash were:  [We put names into separate lines.]

 

2Lt. John L. Wasson, pilot;

2Lt. Charles A. Beaucond, co-pilot;

2Lt. Frederick E. Neal, bombardier;

2Lt. Joseph Ferio, bombardier;

Pvt. Henry C. Peterson, engineer;

SSgt. Robert E. Story, assistant engineer;

Pvt. Murty J. Huckaby, radio operator;

Sgt. Alman L. Porter, assistant radio operator;

Sgt. Stephen A. Safko, gunner;

Sgt. Henry P. Pelletier, gunner;

SSgt. Ernest M. Breier, gunner.”

 

(Mireles 2006, Fatal Army AF Accidents in US 1941-1945, Vol. 1, p. 243-244.)

 

Sources

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1941 USAAF Serial Numbers (41-6722 to 41-13296).  Oct 29, 2011 revision.  Accessed 12-6-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1941_2.html

 

Mireles, Anthony J.  Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945 (Volume 1:  Introduction, January 1941 – June 1943).  Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2006.

 

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