Monday, October 31, 2011

Charles Richards killed in freak wind accident

This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, October 30, 1936.

Charles Richards, 48, Platt, employee of the Washtenaw County Road Commission, was fatally injured about 5 o’clock Thursday night, when he was blown or dragged from one of the county trucks as the men were returning form work. The accident occurred on Ellsworth Road just off US-23.

The strong wind apparently tore the canvas covering from the back of the truck in which Richards was riding alone at the time, said Kenneth L. Hallenbeck, county commissioner, and the covering either caught Richards, or he tried to hold it from blowing off and was dragged from the truck.

Mr. Richards was rushed to Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti but was dead upon admittance, Charles St. Clair, 436 Second St., Ann Arbor, driver of the truck, said he saw the covering being whipped from the truck and stopped, but not soon enough to prevent the accident. The body was removed to the Muehllig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor.

Mr. Richards is survived by his wife, and three children, all grown up. He was not a member of the company local benefit insurance plan, but the members are meeting today to consider his case.

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