Hither Green rail crash

In the railway accident at Hither Green derailed on November 5, 1967, the station of Hither Green rail breakage due to an express train. 49 people died.

Starting position

The express train from Hastings to London Charing Cross consisted of two diesel-electric railcars ( 1007 and 1017 model years 1957 and 1958 ) to six cars of the 201 series in steel construction. In the strong field train traveled about 550 passengers, were numerous. Due to a limitation in the clearance profile of tunnels of South Eastern Main Line vehicles were only allowed special here, 30 cm narrower be used. These were lighter in weight and at high speeds tended to side motions.

The South Eastern Main Line, which took advantage of the train, had indeed recently partially receive a new superstructure, but there were also sections where older rails were, which consisted of individual pieces that were connected with ties. For the summer of 1967 on the route, the schedule offered was increased, the move order has been compacted and raised the speed limit.

Circumstances of the accident

Against 21:16 clock sailed the train at a speed of about 110 km / h section between the stations Grove Park and Hither Green. Here is a rail break had occurred shortly before the Hither Green train station: On a rail joint the end of a rail, including connecting strap had broken. The first two vehicles of the unit passed the damaged area still unaffected but the front bogie of the third car stopped at the broken piece out of the rail and hang derailed. In this state, the train was still about 400 meters until the derailed truck was stuck in a crossover. This meant that now all cars - except the leading - derailed. The clutches and brake hoses torn, so that the front car after a thus triggered rapid braking after about another 400 meters to a halt. The following 5 car overturned in a side wall was torn away.

Follow

49 people died, 78 were also injured, 27 of them seriously.

The investigation report stated that the broken rail was due to fatigue, but also a lack of track maintenance with was the cause. Even in the days and weeks before, several broken rails were discovered on the same route, but have always been before - as here - a whole rail piece was broken out. The route maintenance has been intensified in the sequence.

Since the accident site in the city of London was, help was very quick to help. The first injured was admitted 18 minutes after the accident at hospital Lewisham. Even the railway accident Lewisham, 10 years earlier occurred in the same district, had contributed to an improvement in the emergency services.

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Among the survivors there were the singer Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and his future wife Molly.