1947 Doncaster rail crash
1947 Doncaster rail crash | |
---|---|
Details | |
Date | 9 August 1947 |
Location | London & North Eastern Railway |
Cause | Signalman's error |
Statistics | |
Trains | 2 |
Passengers | 1,400 (estimated)[1] |
Deaths | 18 |
Injured | 188 |
List of UK rail accidents by year |
The 1947 Doncaster rail crash was a fatal rail incident that occurred just south of Doncaster station at Bridge Junction. A train was signalled onto an occupied line and the ensuing collision resulted in 18 deaths and 188 injuries. Both trains and signalling were operated by the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER).
Accident
At 4:41 pm on 9 August 1947, the 1:25 pm
Cause
The first train had been brought to a stand at a red signal near to Bridge Junction, and was just starting away when the collision occurred.[6] The second train was incorrectly signalled into the section, resulting in a rear-end collision. It was later determined by the inquiry that neither of the drivers were to blame; it was the signalman at Balby signal box (J W McKone) who had accepted the second express into the section before clearing the first stationary train,[5] even though it was within his sight from the box and was only 177 yards (162 m) away.[8] Traffic had been described as "heavy for a Saturday, but not excessive".[9]
References
- ^ Mount & Langley 1947, p. 3.
- ISSN 0033-8923.
- ^ Mount & Langley 1947, p. 4.
- ^ a b Burke, Darren (16 March 2016). "ON THIS DAY: 14 dead, 12 injured in Doncaster train crash horror". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ ISBN 0-7110-2549-5.
- ^ a b Mount & Langley 1947, p. 8.
- ^ "1947 Rail Disaster". Doncaster History. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ Mount & Langley 1947, p. 7.
- ^ Mount & Langley 1947, p. 6.
Sources
- Mount, A H L; Langley, C A (6 December 1947). Report on the collision which occurred on the 9th August, 1947, near Doncaster on the London & North Eastern Railway (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Transport.