Canoe River Train Crash

On this day, two Canadian National Railway trains collided head-on near Valemount, British Columbia: - A westbound troop train carrying Canadian soldiers bound for the Korean War - The eastbound Continental Limited passenger train **Casualties:** 21 deaths (17 soldiers, 4 crew members) **Cause:** Telegraph operator Alfred John 'Jack' Atherton transmitted an incomplete message to the troop train. The missing words contained critical instructions for the train to stop at a siding. Without them, the troop train continued on the main track, causing the collision. **Aftermath:** - Atherton faced manslaughter charges but was acquitted (defended by future PM John Diefenbaker)