Virginia Free Press

HORRIBLE AccIDENT.—A fatal accident of a singular nature occurred at the north shaft of the Hoosick tunnel on Saturday. The 'bell' man, who stands at the bottom of the shaft, and gives the signal for the platform to rise, was standing in his position almost directly under the platform, which was at that time at the mouth of the shaft, when a number of drills were thrown upon the platform to be taken down for use. One of these, about five feet in length, rolled off the platform, and falling a distance of three hundred and seventy feet, its sharp end struck the 'bell man' in the side, and the instrument passed entirely through his body, and then some distance into a heavy plank, completely impaling the unfortunate man. The plank had to be split with an axe before the drill could be loosened. The injured man lived about twenty-four hours after the occurrence.