In the summer of 1864, a tragic railway disaster unfolded near St-Hilaire, Quebec, when a passenger train failed to stop for an open drawbridge. The train, which mainly carried German and Polish immigrants, plunged into the depths of the Rivière Richelieu, leading to one of the most devastating railway accidents in Canadian history. With over 200 passengers aboard, reports indicate that at least 99 lives were lost in this calamity, and many others were injured or went missing, which drew immediate attention to safety protocols in railway operations at the time.

The aftermath of the disaster saw a frantic search for survivors, with rescuers battling the swift currents of the river and the wreckage of the train. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of despair and confusion as families searched for loved ones among those who had perished or were trapped in the submerged wreck. The poor visibility and difficulty of accessing the site further complicated recovery efforts, marking the event as not only a human tragedy but also a logistical nightmare for local authorities.

The railway had been an emblem of progress, connecting distant communities and supporting immigration, but this catastrophe exposed the severe limitations and dangers inherent in the burgeoning transportation network. In the wake of the disaster, there was increased scrutiny of safety measures and operational practices in the railway industry, spurring legislative reforms and changes in engineering practices that aimed to prevent future accidents of this magnitude.