Wicherns Escape from Submerged Car

 New York State Couple Escape 

From Submerged Car

From: Howard Stein, April 15, 2022

Hi Al,

In light of the Levin’s recent serious auto accident in Great Barrington I thought you might want to forward them this record of my Aunt Geri and Uncle Len Wichern’s accident on July 15, 1940 in the same town.  I knew Jane had this record.  Dangerous place, Great Barrington, especially now that Arlo’s neighboring towns are filled with cannabis dispensaries.

They were no doubt coming from (not going to) the Stein family home on Cone Hill Road in Richmond, via West Stockbridge.  I can visualize that railroad underpass and the S curve by the Housatonic River,  which I think is still that way, although I haven’t been there in probably 30 years.

I think I heard years ago that the car was brought by the wrecker to the house in Richmond, shocking the family that had been told they had had a bit of an accident.  

Geri never became a good driver.  Ann and I were not allowed to ride with her.  The last car I remember her having was a Kaiser Traveler.  The Wichern’s owned two of those peculiar three door cars — look it up if you don’t believe me.

Howard

THE SPRINGFIELD DAILY REPUBLICAN
GREAT BARRINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS

AUTO PLUNGES OVER EMBANKMENT INTO HOUSATONIC RIVER

New York State Couple Escape From Submerged Car and Are Little Hurt - Accident Near Great Bridge

Great Barrington, July 14, 1940

Miraculous escape from almost certain death or serious injury was the good fortune today of the occupants of an automobile that plunged 60 feet down an embankment and into the Housatonic river. Those who emerged with scarcely a scratch were Mr and Mrs Leonard Wichern of 1027 Walton avenue, Bronx, N. Y. The crash which took place near the center of the village attracted several hundred spectators during the late afternoon and early evening. Mrs Wichern was driving the family sedan toward the village of Great Barrington having come from the direction of Van Deusenville. As she approached the underpass of the Van Deusenville road only about a block from the Great bridge, her car evidently went out of control and crashed through the wire guard rail. After toppling over a concrete guard post, the automobile proceeded to roll end over end down the 45 degree embankment settling in the mud and water of the river on its side. Only about a foot or 15 inches of the machine protruded from the water. The occupants clambered out through the left side window, which was open, to safety. The machine was only a few feet from the shore.  Spectators who rushed to the scene expecting to find both seriously injured or killed were amazed to find Mr Wichern uninjured and his wife who had been driving suffering only arm bruises. The machine evidently had rolled over several times in its descent after taking out the guard rail which was designed to protect the motoring public from just such an eventuality. No reason was given as to Mrs Wichern's inability to negotiate the sharp right-angle turn which would have kept her on the highway. Chief of Police William J. Oshman and Officer Richard W. Morrison took charge of operations and directed traffic until the Wichern car was pulled from the river by a powerful wrecker. Because of the density of traffic uncounted hundreds of spectators jammed the highway in the vicinity to peer down at the hapless machine. These were surprised to learn that the occupants had escaped practically uninjured.

Springfield Daily Republican
July 14, 1940

The Housatonic River, Where the accident happened.
Google Maps

The railroad underpass, southbound.
Heading toward the river.
Google Maps

The railroad underpass, Housatonic River on the right.
Google Maps

The Wichern's home,
1027 Walton avenue, Bronx, N. Y.
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