Troop Train Accident

On the morning of September 11th, 1950, near West Lafayette, Ohio, a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train collided with the rear of a train carrying troops, killing 73 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard 109th Field Artillery Battalion and injuring 278 others. After the crash, Dr. McConnell and other local dentists were asked to help identify the dead, since teeth are remarkably durable and dental records are sometimes all medical examiners have to go on. Young Dr. McConnell was practicing dentistry in his office on the 2nd floor when he received a call asking him to drive 7 miles east, not long after leaving military service.

Coshocton, Ohio · United States