The Economic Times

In 1896, 40,000 people traveled to the middle of nowhere in Texas to watch two trains crash intentionally. Two died in the 'The Crash at Crush' event

An 1896 Texas event featured two steam locomotives colliding at high speed. This spectacle, organized by the Katy Railroad, drew thousands of paying spectators. The collision caused both locomotives and their boilers to explode unexpectedly. Fatalities and injuries occurred, and a photographer was permanently blinded. Despite the tragedy, the event generated significant publicity for the railroad.