One of the first people on the scene of a fatal school bus-freight train crash that killed five students and injured 43 others 50 years ago in Clarkstown has died. Joan Fitzgerald, a Licensed Practical Nurse who lived a block away from the railroad crossing at Gilchrest Road in Congers, jumped into action when she heard the crash happened. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann says she grabbed her equipment and ran down to help out…
Joan was an active life member of the Congers Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary for more than 50 years, and she served as President and Secretary several times. She was also active with the Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance Corps in the late 60’s and early 70’s. A Mass of Christian Burial is being held at St. Paul’s Church in Congers at 10AM today. Burial is at the Onderdonk Veterans Cemetery in Suffern. She was 79 years old.