1 DEAD, 29 INJURED WHEN TRUCK UPSETS
One man was fatally injured and 29 other persons, most of whom are residents of Wiconisco, were hurt, when a truck in which they were riding upset on a sharp curve at the foot of the Hegins Mountain on Route 125, Saturday evening.
Earl Messner, 54, of Wiconisco, who sustained a fractured scull and other injuries, died in the Ashland Hospital early Tuesday
Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Helen Messner; one daughter, Mrs. Marlin Maiden, Wiconisco; two sons, Lewis Messner and Henry Messner, of Wiconisco; and his mother, Mrs. Harriet Messner, Wiconisco.
Other survivors are a brother, Edward Messner, Allentown; three sisters, Mrs. Ray Higgins, Allentown; Mrs. Harry Pontius, California; and Mrs., John Hartman, of Sinking Springs.
Service will be held from the home of his mother in Wiconisco at 4 o’clock Friday afternoon. Rev. W. A. Pahls will officiate and interment will be in the Wiconisco Cemetery.
The injured were members of the Wiconisco Fire Company Auxiliary, and were enroute to Ashland to participate in a fireman’s parade when the accident occurred.
The injured were taken by passing motorists and ambulances to the offices of doctors in nearby towns, or to Ashland and Pottsville hospitals.
Treated at the Ashland Hospital were Mrs. Grace Paul, fractured back and right hand, and multiple abrasions and contusions of the body.
Elwood Shadle, fractured collarbone and lacerations of the body; and Mrs. Thelma Shadle, his wife, contusions of the arms and legs.
Admitted to the Pottsville Hospital for treatment were:
Mrs. Harry Beadle, lacerations of the forehead; contusions of the head and body.
Mrs. Anna Skelton, back injury, abrasions of the head and face.
Mrs. Edna Laing, chest injuries, possible fractures of the skull and ribs.
Mrs. Anna Machamer, possible fractures of skull and right shoulder, abrasions of face.
Mrs. Nellie Ferree, brush burns of right arm and leg, lacerations of scalp.
Chester F. Coleman, lacerations of face and left hand and multiple bruises and abrasions of the body.
Mrs. Dorothy Wynn, brush burns and abrasions of face.
Mrs. Ruth Heany was admitted to the Harrisburg Hospital for treatment of a possible skull fracture, puncture wound of right arm, and multiple abrasions of the body.
Police said it was possible that a number of the people who were riding in the truck bed were shifted to the outside of the truck as it rounded the curve, and caused the vehicle to overturn.
The speed of the truck was not great, police said, and the vehicle not badly damaged.
Police said the truck was operated by Mrs. Annetta Morgan of Wiconisco.
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From a local newspaper at the time of the accident, 1947.
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