George Blatchford, 21, Dies Instantly When Roadster Strikes Tanker.

(Special to Altoona Mirror)

PORT MATILDA - George S. Blatchford, 21, a Hollidaysburg disc jockey for Radio Station WRTA, Altoona, was killed instantly at 7:10 a.m. today when his MG roadster crashed into two other vehicles on Route 220 here.

State police said Blatchford, traveling south, crossed the center line and struck a tractor-trailer rig (a tank truck), which was moving north. After colliding, with the tanker, he continued on to strike a car following the truck.

Truck driver was Carl Smith, 55, of Martinsburg and operator of the following I962 Plymouth was Rodney Stiver, 30, of 1918 Columbia Ave., Tyrone, who was treated for right arm and left rib injuries.

Car Is Demolished

Police said the MG roadster, which was demolished, was owned by Bessie Leamer of 931 58th St., Altoona, Blatchford's grandmother.

Employed by Station WRTA for the past four years, Blatchford began as a part-time employe during High School and advanced to the position of full-time annnuncer two years ago.

DEAD IN CRASH

George Blatchford

He had been attending the Altoona Campus as a part-time student for the past two years and also was taking a Correspondence course in engineering from a school in Chicago.

Blatchford held a Federal Commrunications Commission license and had an airplane pilot's license, after taking instruction for the past two years from a flying school at the Martinsburg Airport.

Blatchford was the son of George Blatchford, former manager of the Tyrone store of the Blatchford Furniture Company, and a nephew of James E. Blatchford, Altoona merchant.