Train Hits School Bus

Camden Courier-Post – October 21, 1931

Crossing Where One Was Injured in Train-Bus Crash

One man was seriously injured last night when a passenger train and a school bus crashed at the East State Street crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The injured man is Samuel Phillips, 45, of Blackwood, driver of the bus. He is in Cooper Hospital, having suffered cuts and bruises on the arms and legs, possible fracture of several ribs on the left side and shock.

The bus was the property of William C. Schlitz, of Maple Shade, and operated daily between the St. Joseph School, Twenty-ninth and Westfield Avenue, and Cramer Hill.

A bus load of 30 children had just vacated the bus.

Phillips, through Schlitz, made the following statement to police last night:

“I was coming east on State Street and at the railroad a flagman waved for me to come across. I started across and when near the other side put the gates down on me, preventing me from crossing.

The west gates at the crossing were broken several days ago and a flagman has been stationed there pending repairs. Officials of the railroad declared Phillips had an unobstructed view of the crossing for more than 150 feet and had ample time in which to stop his vehicle.

They refused to amplify the statement and said an investigation would be conducted at 10 a. m. today to ascertain responsibility.