Bourne End rail crash
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The Bourne End rail crash occurred on 30 September 1945. An overnight sleeping-car express from Scotland to London Euston derailed due to a driver's error. 43 people were killed, making it Britain's joint seventh worst rail disaster in terms of death toll.
The train was scheduled to divert from the fast to the slow lines at Bourne End, Hertfordshire, near Hemel Hempstead, because of engineering work in Watford tunnel. However, the driver failed to respond to the signals in advance of the diversion and took the 15mph restricted turnout at nearly 60 mph. The engine and the first six carriages overturned and fell down an embankment into a field.
The morning was fine and sunny, and the driver was highly experienced with a particular reputation for being conscientious. However, due to post war staff shortages, he had worked 26 days continuously and as a result of this it seems likely that he had either dozed off momentarily or gone into "autopilot" through fatigue. Although not fitted to this stretch of track at the time it is probable that the Automatic Warning System would have prevented the disaster.
The alarm was also raised by a pilot who had just taken off from Bovingdon Aerodrome and who had observed the accident during takeoff and notified the railway authorities via the Bovingdon Control tower. Airfield staff also helped significantly with assistance after the crash (Hamilton, 1967).
A similar accident occurred two years later at Goswick, Northumberland.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Rolt, L.T.C. (1956 (and later editions)). Red for Danger. Bodley Head / David and Charles / Pan Books.
- Hamilton, J.A.B. (1967). British Railway Accidents of the 20th Century (reprinted as Disaster down the Line). George Allen and Unwin / Javelin Books.
- Railways Archive account, including official Accident Report
