Bus Strikes Low Railway Bridge on Short Street, Injuring Six-August 15, 1964

Six persons were injured last night when the roof of a Providence-bound charter bus was partially sheared off by a New Haven Railroad bridge on Short Street. Sergeant William Travers, who was the first police officer on the scene, along with Patrolmen Joseph Giampa and Richard Towne, immediately called for backup. Norwood Police Chief James M. Murphy and Lieutenant James F. Lydon arrived minutes later to take command of rescue operations.

The 39-passenger bus, operated by the D.A.D. Rhode Island Bus Company of Providence, was carrying passengers back to Rhode Island from a charter trip to the Rockingham Race Track in New Hampshire. According to the bus driver, Frank Watterson, 52, of 10 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, heavy traffic from the Foxboro Harness Raceway prompted him to seek an alternate route. He detoured through Norwood Center and had just crossed the Pleasant Street intersection onto Short Street, approaching the Walpole line, when the bus struck the bridge. Watterson stated he was traveling at a low rate of speed and failed to see a warning sign posted on the bridge indicating its clearance was nine feet one inch—a foot lower than the vehicle.

The impact sheared off the front end of the bus roof and smashed the front windshield, showering glass fragments over the front interior and cutting Watterson’s face. Despite his injuries, Watterson managed to reverse the bus away from the low structure. Most passengers were thrown from their seats by the sudden collision, though authorities noted there was no panic among the crowd.

Both the Norwood police and fire departments mobilized immediately for a major emergency. Fire apparatus stood by to prevent potential blazes, while ambulances from Norwood and Walpole rushed the injured to Norwood Hospital. Two passengers were admitted in good condition and held for treatment of facial lacerations: Vincent Tulli, 46, and Ann Stakowski, 49, both of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Four others were treated at the hospital and released Friday night: driver Frank Watterson, Elsie Benson, 64, of Pawtucket; Charles Salsbury, 59, of Cranston, Rhode Island; and Marie Sorbo, 65, of Providence.

Uninjured passengers were transported to Norwood Police Headquarters, where Civil Defense workers had coffee and doughnuts waiting, alongside arranging telephone access to contact relatives. Additional police officers responding to the emergency included Thomas Michienzi, Niccolino Destito, Zito DiCico, William Costello, and George Tessicine.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger