1950 CTA Streetcar Crash: Tragic Event in Chicago History

On May 25, 1950, a tragic event known as the 1950 CTA Streetcar Crash, or the Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster, occurred in Chicago, Illinois. A Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) streetcar collided with a gasoline truck at the intersection of 63rd and State Streets, resulting in a devastating explosion. The crash claimed the lives of 34 individuals and left 50 others injured, making it one of the deadliest public transit accidents in Chicago’s history. The explosion also left more than 100 people homeless due to damage to nearby buildings.

The collision occurred when the streetcar, traveling south on State Street, abruptly changed direction to avoid a flooded underpass. The streetcar’s motorman failed to pay attention, leading to the collision with the gasoline truck driven by Mel Wilson. Both the streetcar motorman, Paul Manning, and the truck driver lost their lives in the accident.

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Despite the chaos, one heroic passenger, fourteen-year-old Beverley Clark managed to open the center door of the tram using the emergency handle, allowing several passengers to escape the raging fire. Unfortunately, many passengers were trapped as they attempted to exit through the rear doors, with only a few managing to escape through a small side window.

The tragic event resulted in a high death toll and numerous injuries, with the National Safety Council noting it as having the largest death toll from a motor vehicle collision at the time. The aftermath also saw significant property damage to nearby buildings and parked cars.

In response to the disaster, the Chicago Transit Authority compensated the families of the victims in 1955 and implemented safety measures to prevent similar accidents, such as adding drainage systems to flooded underpasses. In 1958, the CTA discontinued the use of streetcars altogether, replacing them with transit buses for safer public transportation services that continue to run to this day.