Members of the Lambeth volunteer fire department and the London emergency rescue squad work to free Jose Gradin of London from his crumpled car after a two-car collision on Highway 2 at the Airport Road. Photo by Ken Smith of The London Free Press By Sherryl Connelly of The Free Press
LAMBETH – A head-on crash of two cars on Highway 2 at the Airport Road early today sent five persons to hospital in London after firemen sawed two of them free from their crumpled vehicles.
Provincial police investigating the crash shortly after 7 a.m. were still trying to get the full facts this afternoon.
Two units of the Thames Valley Ambulance, London, one unit from the Lambeth volunteer fire department, and London’s emergency squad rushed to the scene.
Witnesses said the two cars crashed in mid-highway, flinging both to the side of the road, one deep in a ditch. Firemen sawed the jammed doors of the car driven by Jeramiah Stoyles, 22 of 1247 Dundas St., N., London, who was alone in his car.
Mr. Stoyles is listed in good condition at Victoria Hospital with a fractured shoulder and head injuries. Mr. Gradin is listed in fair condition with head injuries.
Others admitted were: David Hanes, 16, of 1200 Florence St., London, with a fractured ankle, good condition; John Henson, 17, of 785 Queens Ave., suffering facial cuts, leg and chest injuries, also in good condition.
A fifth man was admitted but authorities are withholding information until next of kin in Chicago ILL, are notified. His condition is not known.
The impact crumpled the front end of the Gradin car, tearing the left side of the dashboard from the frame.
The Stoyle care remained at the side of the road, hovering near the ditch, its front end a mass of bent steel.
A cryptic decal message on the back read: “Bring ‘em home alive.”
Witnesses said after the accident that two passengers were thrown into the ditch and a third wandered about in a dazed condition before police arrived. All appeared to be in shock.
Investigating officer, Wally Gray of the London Provincial Police said the accident is still under investigation.
Firemen free three men from overturned car
Firemen were called to assist in freeing three men trapped in a car which rolled over after snapping off a hydro pole at Springbank Drive and Beaconsfield Avenue early Tuesday.
Police said the car was driven by Gerald Burns of 34 Lyman St. Passengers were John McMahon of 219 Clarence St., and Frederick Grayson of 41 Palace St.
All were taken to Victoria Hospital. Mr. McMahon was treated and released.
Mr. Burns was listed in fair condition and Mr. Grayson in good condition today.
