Date Unknown
First soldier pictured, Carl Emory, is the photographer for Wakeman Hospital.
An elderly man was killed, a woman hurt critically and fifteen others, including twelve soldiers and WACs, were injured as the result of a spectacular bus crash in the 5500 lock of new U. S. 31, south of the city, Monday afternoon.
The bus skidded approximately 500 feet and burst into flames as the driver attempted to avoid striking the elderly man. The passengers, mostly soldiers, scrambled madly out of the windows and doors to escape the flames.
Dead: George Craig, 73, Rural Route 6, Box 743, in the 5500 block south in U. S. 31.
Injured critically: Mrs. Maude McCaslin, 64, Columbus, burned on arms, hands and legs.
Injured seriously: Mrs. Julia Redinour, 37, Dunkirk, burned on arms, legs and face. Pvt. Ernest Rivera, 25, Camp Atterbury, burned on hands, arms and legs. Sgt Andrew Dunn, 39, Camp Atterbury, chest injuries. Miss Lenora Norris, 19, Franklin, legs burned. Pvt. Lucille Rickettson, 21, Camp Atterbury, legs and face burned. Pvt Carl Breech, 31, Camp Atterbury, hands burned.
Mr. Craig, who was hurled to the pavement as he walked into the side of the bus, died in City Hospital Monday evening. He is survived by the widow Mrs Evalde Craig, and a stepson, Henry E. Ivory.
All the injured were taken to City Hospital by ambulance and private cars and those from Camp Atterbury were returned to the camp Monday night.
The crash occurred directly in front of Mr. Craig's home. The bus, a Swallow coach, was making a regularly scheduled run from Camp Atterbury and was driven by Rodney Witt, 38, 938 Park Avenue.
Mr. Craig apparently thought the bus was a public bus and started across the road to board it. He stepped back, witnesses said, and then stepped forwarded into the side of the vehicle and was hurled to the pavement.
The driver, in attempting to avoid the elderly man, apparently lost control fot he bus, which went into a ditch, struck and hurtled a culvert and then burst into flames.
Dense black clouds of smoke shot high into the air. The fire department, state police and deputy sheriffs were summoned and military police from Fr. Benjamin Harrison rushed to the scene.
The big vehicle had stopped on the pavement of the four-lane highway and blocked traffic both ways. Firemen from Indianapolis arrived, but the flames had gained such headway they were unable to save the bus.
Deputy Sheriffs Virgil Quinn, Michael Zorman and Earl Cozar reached the scene and co-operated with state and military police in caring for the injured and handled traffic.
Pumper No. 26, directed by Grover Todd, acting lieutenant, was the first to arrive at the scene. After their tanks had been depleted, Pumper 18, directed by David Sprinkle, acting lieutenant, finished putting out the flames.
State policemen who were called were Lawrence Broderick and Robert Mason.