Stafford rail crash (1990)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The train crash at Stafford on August 4, 1990, resulted in the death of a train driver and injuries to 36 people.

The 23:36 empty coaching stock train from Stoke-on-Trent to Birmingham Soho Depot ran into the rear of the 22:18 express passenger train from Manchester Piccadilly to Penzance, which was standing in platform 4 at Stafford station. The empty train had been given permission to pass a signal at 'danger' and draw up behind the express in order to clear the way for another train.

The driver of the empty train, who was the only fatality, was considered not to have kept a good lookout. This was possibly compounded by excessive working hours and by the alcohol that was subsequently found in his bloodstream.