Dr. Blaisdell Dies In Crash

Dr. Harold A. Blaisdell, 66, prominent Jamestown surgeon, died last night following a two car accident in front of his home on the Hunt Road near Winch Road.

The accident happened shortly after 5 p.m.

He died at 7:25 p.m. at Jamestown General Hospital as a team of 12 doctors and surgeons worked in vain to save his life.

Authorities said the accident occurred when Dr. Blaisdell, traveling west in a station wagon, made a left turn into the driveway of his home.

The other car, operated by David L. Clark, 17 of 450 Fairmount Ave. W.E., was headed east and crashed into the side of the station wagon, police said.

Clark and a passenger, Harold J. Kirchhoff, 17, of 118 Hanford Ave., W.E. suffered minor injuries.

It was the fifth highway fatality in Chautauqua County this year as compared with two for the same period in 1963.

A crew of 25 volunteer fireman, under the direction of Lakewood Fire Chief Herman L Knowlton, worked for about fifteen minutes to free Dr. Blaisdell from the wreckage.

Heavy equipment was necessary to pry the vehicles apart. A resuscitator unit was kept working throughout the operation.

Busti Town Officer George Dahlgren, in charge of the investigation, said Robert S. Webster, Fardink Road, Ashville, was driving directly behind Dr. Blaisdell when the accident took place.

He quoted Mr. Webster as saying he believed Dr. Blaisdell failed to see the approaching car.

Lakewood Police Officer Michael La Grega, who assisted said the crash ripped the front seat of the station wagon from the floor, pinning Dr. Blaisdell under the crushed metal of both vehicles.

A certificate of accidental death was issued today by Chautauqua County Coroner Fredrick L. Hitchcock. He said Dr. Blaisdell died of head and internal injuries coupled with shock and loss of blood.

The Clark car, owned by the youth’s father, C. Burton Clark was a 1964 model with less than 500 miles use.

Young Clark suffered a broken hand and forehead abrasions. Kirchoff was treated for an elbow injury.

Officer Dahlgren said visibility at the time of the accident was good. Although the pavement was wet with snow, it was not regarded as slippery, he added.

Lt. Lester Thompson, of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Dept., also assisted in the investigation.