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List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom

This lists significant accidents involving railway rolling stock, including crashes, fires and incidents of crew being overcome by locomotive emissions. Other railway-related incidents such as the King's Cross fire of 1987 or the 7 July 2005 London bombings are not included.

Worst accidents

The worst accident was the Quintinshill rail disaster in Scotland in 1915 with 226 dead and 246 injured.[a] Second worst, and the worst in England, was the 1952 Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash, which killed 112 people and injured 340.[1] The death toll from the 1957 Lewisham rail crash was 90; for the 1889 Armagh rail disaster (the worst in Northern Ireland) it was 80;[2] and for the 1879 Tay Bridge disaster it was 75. The worst rail accident in Wales was the 1868 Abergele rail disaster, with 33 dead.

The accident on the London Underground with the highest loss of life was the Moorgate tube crash which occurred on the Northern City Line in 1975 (which was at the time part of the London Underground Network).

Mainline rail

1830–1922: Pre-grouping

Before 1830: the 1815 Philadelphia train accident, a boiler explosion of "Brunton's Mechanical Traveller" on a plateway killed 16 people, mainly sightseers.

DateKilledInjuredTypeDetails
15 September 183010Collision with person on trackParkside: William Huskisson was fatally wounded at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway when he was hit by Stephenson's Rocket.[3][4][5] Huskisson is often reported as the first railway fatality, including in ordinarily reliable sources.[6] This is untrue; at least two people were killed on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway before it opened to the public.[7] The earliest recorded fatality caused by a steam locomotive was an unnamed woman, described as "a blind American beggar", fatally injured by a train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 5 March 1827.[8]
April 1831Signalling errorNewton Junction: PC Bates of the Liverpool and Manchester railway police force caused an accident when he failed to change a set of points when asleep at his post; fined £3 by magistrates (equivalent to £340 in 2023).[citation needed]
4 May 1833Level crossing collisionBagworth: Collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the implementation of the locomotive whistle.[9]
3 December 18363Derailment due to signalling errorWetheral train accident: Train on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway wrongly diverted into a siding at Wetheral, a near Carlisle, Cumbria. The train derailed and crushed three people to death.
7 August 18405DerailmentHowden rail crash, East Riding: Large casting fell from wagon and derailed coaches.[10]
25 October 184014Train overruning line endFaringdon Road, Berkshire: Driver asleep at controls.[11]
10 November 18402Boiler explosionBromsgrove, Worcestershire: Boiler explosion.[12]
24 December 1841817Landslip in cutting (collision with)Railway accident at Sonning Cutting: Train ran into landslide caused by heavy rain.[13][14]
6 January 184311Rear-end collisionBarnsley railway station, North Midland Railway: Luggage train ran into back of Leeds train in fog. "All carriages were smashed to pieces", the head of the only passenger was "cut completely off".[15][16]
5 October 1844023Rear-end collisionAnerley. Train ran into rear of train in front after signaller's error.[17]
November 1844215Head-on collisionBeeston, Nottinghamshire. 2 trains collided head-on in heavy fog.[18]
6 October 184501DerailmentPenistone: Train derailed by cow.
1 January 184611Bridge failureTonbridge: Driver killed as bridge collapsed into River Medway.[19][20]
24 May 184759Bridge failureDee bridge disaster: Bridge collapsed into the river at Chester.[21][22][23]
24 May 18472DerailmentSouthall: Broken locomotive tyre.[24]
5 June 18477Signalling errorWolverton. Down mail train was switched into sidings in error by signalman where it collided with coal wagons.[25]
10 May 1848613Shrivenham, Berkshire: Express struck horse-box and cattle-van.[26][27]
10 February 18495Rockcliffe, Cumbria. Axle failure resulted in derailment and carriages falling down an embankment.[28]
27 June 18491Hemerdon: The boiler of the engine 'Goliah' exploded.[29][30]
1 August 1850510Cowlairs, Glasgow. A crowded early morning train passed a signal at danger then stopped before being hit from behind by another train.[31][32]
30 April 1851930–40Sutton Tunnel railway accident, Cheshire: Two inadequately-powered trains struggling together to climb gradient in tunnel ran into by third following train due to miscalculations by Executive Committee and staff.[33]
6 June 185151?Falmer, Sussex: Train ran down incline without braking derailed by wooden sleeper obstructing track; engine, tender and two coaches ended up on nearby public highway.[34]
6 September 18516Bicester, Oxfordshire: Points were moved under the train by signalman resulting in derailment.[35]
5 February 185200Reading, Berkshire: Confusion over signals led to collision between express train and goods train at the junction of the Berks & Hants Branch line.[36]
13 March 18522Basingstoke rail accident: Tyre failure. Driver and fireman killed.[37]
12 July 18524a great numberBurnley Thorneybank, Lancashire.[38][39]
20 October 185206Aynho, Northamptonshire: A special service from Paddington to Birmingham, for the opening of the new line to Birmingham by the GWR loaded with directors of the Railway, ran into the rear end of a slow running Mixed Goods train at Aynho Station. When the driver of the mixed goods saw the special coming at a speed towards the station attempted to pull away. The coupling to the engine broke so its train was left behind. The locomotive "Lord of the Isles" destroyed the rear truck of the Mixed goods and was derailed by a broken axle. The undamaged carriages then struck the tender of the mixed goods locomotive. The mixed goods pulled the rest of its undamaged train to Banbury before returning to take the damaged special to Leamington because the relief engine sent to rescue the special derailed on the way from Birmingham.[40]
4 March 18536Dixon Fold: Derailment on deteriorated track.[41][42]
9 March 18532Mangotsfield: A mail train had stopped to allow an adjustment to the locomotive when another train crashed into it in dense fog at 25 mph (40 km/h). Two passengers were killed, with the deaths attributed to neglect of duty by the mail train's guard.[43]
5 October 185318UnknownStraffan rail accident, County Kildare, Ireland: Collision of goods train into rear of stationary passenger train.[44]
12 September 185577Reading: Head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train.[45][46]
18 September 185530Dinting Viaduct, Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway: Passenger train waiting to enter Dinting Station had to wait for the train ahead to clear, and drew up on the viaduct. The viaduct parapets were of similar height to station platforms and three passengers, believing that they had arrived, stepped from the carriages and fell to their deaths.[47]
27 September 185519Summerseat, north of Bury, Lancashire: Accrington-to-Bury passenger train runs into stationary goods train due to faulty signal.[48]
4 August 185639Stubbins, north of Ramsbottom, Lancashire: Northbound passenger train derails and overturns due to poorly installed temporary level-crossing.[49]
6 October 185621buffer stop collisionSalisbury A crash resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury and a complete damaged train.[50][51]
28 June 185711Lewisham rail crash (1857), South London: two trains collided
23 August 18581450Round Oak rail accident: Rear part of train broke away and ran back down line, collision with following train. 170 persons applied for compensation because "of injury to their persons or their clothes".
16 June 185900Virginia Water, Surrey. Special train from Ascot ran into the back of another special train.[52]
16 July 1859179Bishopton, Renfrewshire: Two passenger trains collide in a tunnel at Bishopton.[53]
16 September 185907Staines, Surrey. Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 trains.[54]
20 February 186079Tottenham station: Locomotive wheel failure led to derailment and collision with station platform.[55][56]
4 September 18601177Helmshore rail accident, Lancashire: Rear portion of passenger excursion train became detached and ran back down line where it collided with an on-coming passenger train.
16 November 186010Atherstone rail accident. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose were passengers.
11 June 18612Wooton Bridge Collapse: Freight train, cast iron girders broke.
25 August 186123176Clayton Tunnel rail crash: Train hit stationary train in tunnel, confusion over signalling.[57]
2 September 186116Kentish Town rail accident: Signalman's error: engineering ballast train draws out of siding into path of passenger train.[58]
23 September 1861012Mangotsfield: A goods train shunted into sidings broke down while crossing the track, and was subsequently hit by an excursion train.[59]
6 December 18611Portswood rail accident.
13 October 186217Winchburgh rail crash: Collision in deep cutting.
3 August 18637King's Lynn: Derailment.[60]
7 June 18647Egham: A special train passed a signal at danger and collided with the train in front.[61]
11 October 18640unknownPutney. A passenger train collided with a goods train due to passing an unlit signal at danger.[62]
14 December 18645Blackheath Tunnel.[63]
7 June 18651130Rednal rail crash: Excursion train failed to see warning flag for track maintenance.[64]
9 June 18651049Staplehurst rail crash: Train ran over bridge where rails removed for work. Charles Dickens was a passenger.[65]
9 June 186622Welwyn Tunnel rail crash: Collision and fire in tunnel.
26 February 18672Yanwath: Collision of goods trains, one carrying gunpowder; subsequent explosion.[66]
29 June 1867833Rear-end collisionWarrington rail crash.[60]
20 August 186833Abergele train disaster:[67]
18 December 18694Dalton Junction rail crash; axle break derails Night Mail.
9 October 18697Long Eaton: Collision.[60]
20 June 187018Newark rail crash: Excursion and freight train collided.
10 July 1870529St Nicholas Crossing, south of Carlisle Citadel: Freight train runs into side of up LNWR mail train on level junction.[68]
14 September 1870313Tamworth rail crash: Signalman's error diverted Irish Mail into siding where it crashed into river.
28 October 187010Bishopstoke collision: Stoker Edward Bist aged 24, Cattle Train heavy, wet rails, took longer to stop.[69]
26 November 18707Harrow: Signal overrun in fog.[60][70]
6 December 1870557Brockley Whins.[71]
12 December 18701559Stairfoot rail accident: Train divided.
26 December 187083Wheel failureHatfield rail crash (1870): Coach wheel failure caused train separation.[72]
5 September 1871030Reading, Berkshire: Signalman's error results in passenger train colliding with goods wagons.[73]
21 February 18722Whiteball Tunnel. The two packers had incautiously gone up the tunnel on a trolley and were overtaken by the engine.
20 July 187200Reading, Berkshire: Coupling failure resulted in mail train colliding with goods train in fog.[74]
2 October 187212Kirtlebridge rail crash. Collision.
2 August 18731330Wigan rail crash.[75] Facing points moved under train.
2 December 18731Menheniot: Head-on collision on single line.[76] Misunderstood signalman's verbal order.
27 January 187416Bo'ness Junction rail crash: Express and mineral trains collide.
10 September 18742573Thorpe rail accident: Head-on collision on single-track line.[77]
24 December 18743469Shipton-on-Cherwell train crash: Coach tyre broke, derailed train on bridge over canal.
28 August 1875540Kildwick and Cross Hills rail crash.
21 January 187614Abbots Ripton rail disaster: Rear-end collision. Snow stuck slotted signals in clear position.[78]
7 August 187615Radstock rail accident: Head-on collision on single track. Inadequate infrastructure and unqualified staff overloaded by holiday traffic.[79]
23 November 18766Heeley, West Riding: St Pancras-to-Carlisle train derailed at 60 mph (97 km/h).
23 December 18765Arlesey, Bedfordshire: Passenger train struck derailed goods train.
25 March 1877517Morpeth 1877: Kings Cross-to-Edinburgh train derailed on curve at 25 mph (40 km/h).
19 October 187813Pontypridd station: Collision.
28 December 187975 estimate0Tay Bridge disaster. Bridge collapsed under train in a gale.
15 January 18805–9n/kBurscough Junction Station Crash, Lancashire.[80][81]
11 August 18808Wennington Junction rail crash: Derailment.[82][83]
8 July 18817Blackburn: Collision[60]
14 May 18827300Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire: Train from Stranraer on the Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway passed a signal and collided at low speed with an empty goods train on the Caledonian Main Line north of Lockerbie. Goods train's wagons derailed and southbound express collided with them.[84]
27 November 18825Inverythan crash: Bridge collapsed under train.
8 December 188202Penistone station: Accident during shunting.
3 June 1884441Downton, Wiltshire: Derailment caused by excessive speed over poor quality track.[85]
7 June 188440Sevenoaks, Kent: Two freight trains collided. Trains worked under time interval system.
16 July 18842460Penistone (Bullhouse Bridge) rail accident: Engine broke axle, derailed, train fell off embankment.[86]
14 August 188402Staines, Middlesex. Special train from Windsor ran into back of empty train due to excessive speed and passing a signal at danger.[87]
1 January 1885418Penistone (Barnsley Junction): Axle on wagon of coal train broke and vehicle derailed into side of passing excursion train, destroying one carriage and damaging three.[88]
30 August 188603Mangotsfield: A goods train was shunting onto the mainline and hit the side of a passing excursion train, causing significant damage to the guard's van and head injuries to the guard.[89]
1 September 1886020Penistone: Engine hit train too hard when backing onto it to couple up.
16 September 18872594Hexthorpe rail accident: Express ran into stationary race train.[90]
7 February 1888111Hoylake, Cheshire: Collision between trains going in opposite directions.[91]
30 March 18891manyPenistone (Huddersfield Junction): Passenger train engine broke axle and derailed on points, then a mail train collided slightly with fallen engine.
12 June 188980260Armagh rail disaster: Runaway coaches collided with following train.[92]
4 March 18904Carlisle, Cumberland: Brakes misapplied.[93]
10 November 189010Norton Fitzwarren rail crash: two trains collided due to signaller and train crew errors.
1 May 189101Norwood Junction crash: Cast-iron under-bridge broke under an express train.
27 May 1892268Derby Junction rail crash: two passenger trains collided at Derby Junction in Birmingham.
9 June 18925Esholt Junction rail crash: two trains collide at junction, caused by unsafe procedures and a signal obscured by vegetation.
2 November 18921043Thirsk rail crash (1892): Rear-end collision, mistake by signalman, tired due to acute family crisis.
12 August 189313Llantrisant rail accident: Train down an embankment.
15 May 18945Reading, Berkshire: Slip coach collided with passenger train.[94]
22 December 189414Chelford rail accident: Wind blew a truck into path of express.
10 November 189516St. Neots derailment: Broken rail.
6 April 18961Snowdon Mountain Railway: Runaway on hill derailed.
15 August 18961Preston: Excessive speed on curve.[95]
9 February 189712Menheniot: Reconstruction of Coldrennick Viaduct: workman's platform fell.
11 June 189711Welshampton rail accident, Shropshire: Derailment.
1 September 1897131Tooths Bank, near Heathfield, Sussex: Excessive speed caused derailment.[96]
10 October 189712Penistone station, West Riding: Light locomotive collided with a coach.
15 November 18972Menheniot: Reconstruction of Trevido Viaduct, accident raising a heavy timber.
4 February 189878Barassie Junction, South Ayrshire: Mail train and passenger train collided at high speed at junction.[97]
21 March 1898320St Johns train crash 1898, London: Passenger train ran into the back of another passenger train in thick fog due to oversight by signalman.[98]
18 July 189820Acton, London: Passenger train from Windsor to Paddington. Inside connecting-rod of the engine broke and pierced the fire-box. Driver and fireman jumped or were thrown off but died in hospital the following day from burns.[99]
2 September 1898765Wellingborough rail accident, Northamptonshire: Luggage trolley rolled off platform onto rails and derailed passing express.[100][101]
17 October 1898926Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger train collided with derailed goods wagons hauling tree trunks.[102]
23 March 19007Glasgow: Collision.[60]
16 June 1900535Slough rail accident: Express passed signal at danger and collided with local train standing in station.
1 October 190012Virginia Water, Surrey. Signalman forgot that passenger train was on the up platform and allowed a horse box train into the station resulting in a collision.[103]
7 October 1900051Twickenham. Two trains collided while 4 carriages were being shunted from one train to another due to confusion over signalling.[104]
24 October 190101Bowling Tunnel, Bradford, West Riding: Defective coupling causing freight train to divide causing collision.[105]
23 December 190160Dingle, Liverpool: Electrical fault, train in tunnel. The insulation of an underfloor drive motor failed, causing arcing. The circuit breaker operated, but was repeatedly re-set by the driver. Eventually the arcing set fire to the wooden body of the coach.[106]
25 April 19023197Hackney downs, London: Defective axle led to an axle failure and derailment, the train split and collided with a structure.[107]
27 February 1903035Leven Viaduct near Ulverston: Early morning Carnforth-to-Whitehaven train blown over by high winds after being stopped on viaduct by fallen telegraph wires dislodging the engine's brake hose, destroying the vacuum and applying the brake.[108]
27 July 19031627Glasgow St Enoch rail crash: Train ran into buffer stops.
20 February 190406Gomshall station, Surrey: Derailment due to track defect.[109]
3 October 1904594near Llanelli- Derailment due to excessive speed.[110]
2 November 190402Downton- Collision- signalmans error.[111]
23 December 19044Aylesbury station, Buckinghamshire: 4 killed were driver, secondman and 2 GPO employees. Mail train in fog and dark before dawn; train too fast on sharp curve entering station. The driver may not have had current route knowledge for that portion of the journey.[112]
19 January 19057Cudworth, West Riding: Collision of two Midland Railway trains with a third, in fog.
27 July 19052048Hall Road rail accident, Blundellsands, Lancashire: Two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway electric passenger trains collided due to error on the part of a signalman (authorising the driver to pass an interlocked signal at danger) and the driver disregarding regulations for action in these circumstances.[113]
1 September 19051171Witham rail crash, Essex: Derailment over track being repaired.
5 December 19056Charing Cross roof collapse, London.
1 July 190628111906 Salisbury rail crash: Express passenger train derailed due to speed on a tight curve at Salisbury in the early hours and collided with a milk train.[114]
19 September 19061317Grantham rail accident, Lincolnshire: Derailment.[115]
24 November 19062Ulleskelf, East Riding: Passenger train overran signals and ran into the rear of a freight train.
28 December 190622Elliot Junction rail accident, Forfarshire: Collision in blizzard.
29 December 1906034Collision between slip coach and main portion of a passenger train at Marks Tey.
17 April 19071The Clarendon Film Company was filming a short drama at Coulsdon North railway station (Stoats Nest Station), depicting a clever Great Dane preventing a rail accident. The engine driver misunderstood his instructions and did not stop at the right place, killing a performer.[116]
28 September 1907112Newport rail accident: collision[117]
15 October 19071833Shrewsbury rail accident: Derailment at speed on curve.[118]
5 March 19092?Tonbridge, Kent: Signal passed at danger.[119]
21 April 19093Cardiff Docks locomotive shed, Rhymney Railway, Wales: Safety valves, wrongly reassembled after repair, did not open, causing Boiler explosion.[120]
26 October 1909226West Hampstead: Two passenger trains collided in fog.[121]
1 January 191010Braunton Road railway accident, Devon: 1 railwayman killed whilst opening level-crossing gates.
29 January 1910765Coulsdon North, Surrey: Rolling stock failure and derailment.
24 December 19101217Hawes Junction rail crash: Train hit 2 light engines; signalman's error: forgot train.[122]
23 January 191111Pontypridd railway accident: Rear collision.
17 September 19121550Ditton Junction rail crash, Lancashire, (now Cheshire): Train derailed, collided with a structure and then caught fire.[123]
26 March 191322Chumhill railway accident: 2 track workers killed; 2 injured.
1 September 191314381913 Ais Gill rail accident: Train passed red signal, rear-end collision; underpowered engines and bad coal.[124]
14 April 1914212Burntisland, Fife.[125] Edinburgh-to-Aberdeen train collided with the Dundee goods train.
17 June 191419Reading, Berkshire: Train passed signal at danger leading to collision with a second train.[126]
18 June 1914510Carrbridge rail crash, Scottish Highlands: Bridge collapsed whilst a train was passing over it following torrential rain.
1 January 191510500+Ilford rail crash (1915): Driver passed signals at danger.[127]
22 May 1915226246Quintinshill rail crash, 22 May 1915; 226 killed, 246 injured: Troop train hit local standing train and 2 coal trains; another train hit wreckage caused by mistakes by signalmen.[128]
14 August 19151021Weedon rail crash (1915), Northamptonshire: Detached coupling rod on a moving locomotive damaged adjacent track causing oncoming train to derail. Coaches toppled down an embankment as a result.
17 December 19151981St Bedes Junction rail crash: Double collision sent trains down embankment and fire consumed some of the wreckage. Procedural failures by driver and signalman.[129]
2 February 191600Penistone rail accident, West Riding: Penistone end of the viaduct north of station subsided; embankment and end arch fell, taking a locomotive with it.
3 February 191621Torpantau, Brecknockshire: Signal passed at danger.[130]
3 January 19171246Ratho rail crash, Queensferry Junction, West Lothian: Passenger express train collided with goods engine running light due to human error.[60]
24 September 1917100Bere Ferrers rail accident, Devon: New Zealand troops just disembarked in the UK after voyage from NZ alighted via wrong side of train and onto track under misapprehension that Bere Ferrers railway station was in fact Exeter St Davids (where they were due to receive food rations) and were hit by another train travelling in opposite direction at 40 mph (64 km/h).
18 January 191814Near Oswestry, Shropshire: Signalman's error – head-on collision on single line.[131]
19 January 1918746Little Salkeld rail accident on Settle-Carlisle line: London St. Pancras to Glasgow express ran into landslip in cutting blocking line at 60 mph (97 km/h).[132]
15 June 191818Denburn South Junction, Aberdeen: Glasgow-to-Aberdeen passenger train strikes an engine running light on approaching Aberdeen Joint Passenger Station due to a signalman's error.[133]
5 May 191911Paddock Wood, Kent: Two goods trains collided due to excessive speed.[134]
17 November 1919011Crewe, Cheshire: Chester-to-Crewe passenger train hit buffer stops in bay platform.
29 November 191914Haverhill, Suffolk: Passenger train hit buffer stops in siding after leaving station due to error by the train driver and signalman.[135]
17 July 19204148Lostock Junction, Bolton: Collision between two Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway passenger trains due to signal passed at danger.[136]
4 August 1920013Littlehampton, West Sussex: Brakes failed, train collided with buffers.[137]
26 January 19211736Abermule train collision, Montgomeryshire: Head-on collision on single line, inattention to proper procedures.[138]
8 August 1921017Selby railway station, Yorkshire: Sidelong collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error.[139]
26 November 1921324Birmingham New Street. Collision caused by passing danger signal due to driver error, and moist tracks, which caused wheelslip.[140]
19 April 192200Ascot, Berkshire. Failure to apply brakes by staff while shunting resulted in light engine running away for approximately 6 miles.[141]
6 December 192218Birkenhead Park, Cheshire: Head-on collision between two Wirral Railway trains, failure to see a signal set at danger.[91]

1923–1947: The Big Four (railway companies)

DateKilledInjuredTypeDetails
13 February 1923323Retford, Nottinghamshire: Driver error[142]
15 April 192309

Curry Rivel Junction, Somerset: Signalman Error[143]

5 July 1923411Diggle, West Riding: Driver error[144]
3 November 19241512Lytham rail crash: Locomotive tyre fracture[145]
12 October 1925021Llandudno Carnarvonshire: Driver error, signal passed at danger.[146]
7 December 192596Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire: Collision with road vehicle.[147]
18 February 19261Mangotsfield: A wagon examiner was walking in the sidings when he lurched into the path of a train and was run over.[148]
30 August 19269Naworth Crossing: Collision with charabanc on crossing.[149]
19 November 19269Parkgate and Rawmarsh, West Riding: Derailment and collision[150]
14 February 19271224Hull Paragon rail accident: Head-on collision caused by signalling error.[151]
27 February 1927048Penistone: Shunting engine passed signal meant for express, collision.[152]
24 August 192713Sevenoaks railway accident: Derailment.[153][154][155]
27 June 19282545Darlington rail crash: head-on collision. Driver misunderstood a calling on signal during shunting and passed home signal at danger.[156]
9 July 19282London Bridge: Driver of light engine misread signals.[157]
9 October 1928114New Tredegar: During temporary single-line working signalman allowed train up to signal which it failed to stop at, colliding with train running the other way (first passenger fatality on GWR since 1916).[158]
13 October 19281641Charfield railway disaster, Gloucestershire; Night mail train passed signals at danger hit shunting freight train. The mail train was lit by fuel gas and this ignited shortly after the impact, causing a severe fire.[159][160]
8 January 1929438Ashchurch: Signal overrun.[161]
12 February 192920Doe Hill: Head-on collision. Signalman's error.[162]
20 November 19293Combe Down Tunnel accident: Train crew overcome by smoke in a tunnel, runaway train crashed into a goods yard.[163]
9 January 19301Lawrence Hill: Rear collision, signalman incorrectly accepted next train.[164]
22 March 19316Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire: Train derailed due to driver exceeding speed limit on slow lines.[165]
17 June 1932454Great Bridgeford, Staffordshire: Excessive speed[166]
25 May 19335Raynes Park, Surrey: Train derailed due to uncompleted track maintenance.[167]
10 July 1933135Little Salkeld: Signalman's error[168]
6 December 193316Altrincham: Signalman's error[169]
19 December 193321Hellifield, West Riding: Shunter/guard error caused head-on collision.[170]
July 19341Mangotsfield: A platelayer was hit by a train while clearing weeds from the track.[171]
6 September 1934911Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow: Head-on collision.[172]
28 September 193412Winwick rail crash: Collision at junction: overloaded signalman, mistake by his assistant lad.
15 June 19351385Welwyn Garden City rail crash: rear-end collision caused by signalman's error.
15 January 1936210Shrivenham: Train collided with breakaway wagons.[173][174]
23 December 193600Mangotsfield: Two passenger carriages derailed while shunting after becoming fouled on a set of points.[175]
2 April 19371017Battersea Park rail crash: Signalling error.[176]
10 December 193735179Castlecary rail crash: Whiteout in snowy night and snow blocked points, rear-end collision.[177]
21 January 1938346Oakley Junction, Bedfordshire: Signalman's error[178]
8 April 1938215Rutherglen: Axle defect.[179]
4 August 193813Wishaw South, Lanarkshire: Driver error – excessive speed[180]
22 February 19391161Glasgow: Passing Signal at danger caused by driver error, rear-end collision with another passenger train at Stobcross West Junction.[181]
February 19401Watford: Landslide, embankment slid onto track.[182]
4 November 19402756Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940): Driver read wrong signal, drove off end of track at 40 mph (64 km/h).[183]
15 February 19411Mangotsfield: A 15-year old railway employee was involved in an accident with a train, receiving severe head injuries.[184]
2 July 194156Dolphin Junction, Slough: Signalman failed to notice train.[185]
14 September 1941945Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: Signalman's error.[186]
30 December 19412357Eccles rail crash: Train passed red signal in fog and wartime blackout, collision on crossing.
2 February 19421454Cowlairs East Junction collision. Signalman's error: cleared signals on the running line while it was occupied by a stationary light engine.There was a delay in implementing Rule 55, which required the fireman to enter the signalbox to ensure that his engine was protected by signals.[187]
16 January 1944938Ilford rail crash: Politician Frank Heilgers killed, signal passed at danger in fog.[188]
13 March 194417Near Henstridge, Somerset: unconfirmed 1 killed, 7 injured: U.S. road transport vehicle crashed through bridge wall onto passing train.[189]
2 June 1944229Soham rail disaster: Explosion of ammunition wagon.
10 January 19452227Ballymacarrett rail crash: Collision caused by driver error; excess speed in fog.[190]
4 February 1945226King's Cross railway accident: Locomotive slipped to stand in tunnel, train rolled back into station.[191]
30 September 19454364Bourne End rail crash: excess speed on turnout.
10 November 1945023Woking crash: Driver and other errors Passenger train collides with rear of second passenger train.[192]
31 December 1945310Northwood Middlesex: Collision due to excess speed in fog[193]
1 January 19462021Lichfield rail crash: Signal interlocking failed due to frozen points, goods train collided with rear of stationary passenger train.
5 January 19461018Browney rail crash: Goods train divided and crashed, the wreckage of which was hit by an express travelling in the opposite direction.[194]
10 February 1946217Potters Bar rail crash: Driver error and signalman's error caused passenger train to hit buffers. Derailed coaches fouled main line and were hit by two express train.[195]
19 March 1946113Mottingham: Signaller error. Electric passenger train collided with a stationary light engine that was waiting to move into the sidings.[196]
10 November 194607Marshmoor, Hertfordshire: Derailment due to track defects[197]
27 December 194603Byfleet, Surrey: Derailment due to track defects[198]
2 January 1947745Gidea Park: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.
18 May 194704Lambrigg Crossing signal box between Grayrigg and Oxenholme: 4 hospitalised. Express driver missed a signal while looking in his food box, hit light engine.[199][200]
22 July 1947564Polesworth, Warwickshire: Derailment due to track defects.[201]
9 August 194718118Doncaster: Signalman's error, rear-end collision.[202]
24 October 194732183South Croydon rail crash: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.[203]
27 October 194727Goswick rail crash: Excess speed on diversion, driver not read warning notice.[204]
6 November 19474101Motspur Park, Surrey: Fogman's error[205]
10 December 194712Train of tank wagons carrying petrol ran out of control and crashed through buffers at Manchester Victoria station, caused by misjudgement by the driver.[206]

1948–1994: British Railways/Rail

DateKilledInjuredTypeDetails
17 April 19482430Winsford rail accident, Cheshire: Glasgow-to-Euston train was stopped by passenger inappropriately pulling communication cord. Following train hit stopped train due to a signalman's error.[207]
19 May 1948834Wath Road Junction: Buckled track derailed locomotive; train rolled down embankment.[208][209]
16 October 194820Conington level crossing: The 4 pm train from Peterborough to London strikes a car on the level crossing, killing former mayor of Peterborough Arthur Mellows and his dog.[210]
30 November 1948536Stockport Viaduct, Cheshire/Lancashire: In dense fog, a stationary passenger train from Manchester to Crewe and Disley was run into by following passenger train from Manchester to Buxton, which had passed a signal at danger. Two rearmost coaches of standing train were telescoped.[211]
16 December 19481Mangotsfield: A 16-year old railway employee was hit by a mail train.[212]
23 June 194907Train fire near Penmanshiel Tunnel: two coaches of Edinburgh-to-King's Cross express destroyed by fire.
30 September 19491Mangotsfield: A train fireman was hit by an express train.[213]
4 October 19492Oakley (Bedfordshire): Freight train collides with stationary freight train on viaduct and plunges off it into a meadow[214]
13 May 1950068Preston, Lancashire: Passenger train from Southport collided with a stationary light engine after passing signals at danger[215]
8 June 195050near Beattock Summit: Fire on train.[216]
27 August 1950635Penmaenmawr crash, north Wales: Up Irish Mail sleeper train from Holyhead to Euston collided with shunting locomotive at night due to signalman's error.[217]
7 September 195031Hopworthy, Holsworthy, Devon: Train hit tractor on farm crossing.[218]
16 March 19511429Doncaster rail crash, West Riding: Southbound express passenger train to London King's Cross partly derailed on a poorly maintained crossover shortly after leaving Doncaster, one coach destroyed.
14 July 1951022Train fire near Huntingdon: four coaches of King's Cross-to-Leeds express destroyed by fire.
17 August 1951341Newcastle rail crash between electric units due to starting when signal at danger.[219]
21 September 19511526Weedon crash, Northamptonshire: Jammed locomotive axlebox caused derailment of Liverpool Lime Street-to-Euston passenger train at speed
18 April 1952034Blea Moor (Settle-Carlisle Line): Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and derailed train.[220]
8 October 1952112340Harrow and Wealdstone rail disaster, Middlesex: During fog conditions, driver failed to obey signals, his train struck the rear of a stationary train, a third train travelling in the opposite direction struck the wreckage.[221]
25 October 195203Crewkerne: Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and debris flew through coach.[222]
5 May 195360Ystrad Caron level-crossing near Tregaron: van with six occupants on crossing hit by non-scheduled train.[223]
15 August 19531058Irk Valley Junction rail crash near Manchester: 5-car EMU train collided with steam-hauled train at Irk Valley Junction, Collyhurst, caused by a signalman's error and driver inattention.[citation needed]
28 October 195301Goswick derailment: Glasgow-to-Colchester express passenger train derailed at Goswick.[224]
17 December 195311Longniddry station: A section of track fell off a down freight train on to the up line derailing a parcel train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross.[225]
23 January 19551743Sutton Coldfield rail crash: Train on diversionary route, pilot driver with route knowledge was unfamiliar with type of locomotive, speed on curve, train strewn over platforms.[citation needed]
28 May 1955340Wormit, Fife: Train derailed at excessive speed in tunnel, overturning onto a platform at Wormit Station. Locomotive fireman and two passengers on footplate killed.[226]
20 November 195511157Milton rail crash, Oxfordshire: Passenger train from Treherbert to London Paddington derailed whilst passing over a crossover at excessive speed.
2 December 19551335Barnes rail crash: rear-end collision because signalman error.
22 December 1955150Luton station accident: Northbound passenger train in rear-end collision with stationary northbound passenger train.
6 September 195603Ludlow, Shropshire: Collision due to driver error.[227]
7 January 1957125Welwyn Garden City rail crash, Hertfordshire: Signals ignored in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train.[228]
9 February 19572Chapel-en-le-Frith rail crash, Derbyshire: Runaway freight train rear-end collision with another freight train due to brake failure. Deceased driver of runaway train posthumously awarded George Cross.
4 December 195790173Lewisham rail crash, south-east London: Missed signals in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train. Overbridge fell on wreckage when bridge's abutment was struck by derailing locomotive and coaches.[229]
30 January 19581089Dagenham East rail crash: Signal passed at danger in thick fog by passenger train, rear-end collision with preceding passenger train
4 July 1958045Maze Hill station: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision of 4-car EMU from Gravesend Central to Charing Cross with 9-coach empty passenger stock train being shunted by a steam locomotive[230]
25 August 1958541Eastbourne station rail crash, 22 serious injuries, 19 minor: Sleeper train from Glasgow passed signal at danger, collided head-on with 12-car EMU from Ore to London Bridge as the latter is leaving platform at the station.
19 November 195805Hitchin rail crash, No fatalities, 5 minor injuries: The 3:25 am London-to-Peterborough freight train collided with the rear of the 2:28 am London-to-Peterborough freight train which had been held at the down main 'Home' signal. Some wagons derailed across the up main and were almost immediately hit by the 10:35 pm Leeds-to-London freight train. A stationary light engine on the adjacent up slow was also struck and overturned. Official Report
26 October 1959022Ardsley: Collision due to inadequate signalling arrangements.[231]
21 January 196059Settle rail crash: Locomotive slide bar fell off due to failed bolts; connecting rod became detached destroying adjacent track; oncoming goods train derailed into side of passenger train.
24 November 1960226Between Pontrhydyfen and Cwmavon, Glamorgan: Head-on collision between 3-car passenger DMU travelling from Swansea High Street to Barry Island and a runaway steam-hauled goods train.[232]
2 December 196041North Belton level-crossing, near Dunbar, East Lothian: Car with five occupants hit by two freight trains on a level-crossing.[233]
8 February 196106Royton, Lancashire: Runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses.[234]
13 February 196137Baschurch, Shropshire: Signalman's error caused collision between passenger train travelling at 40–45 mph (64–72 km/h) and freight train locomotive that was shunting its wagons into a siding. The locomotive, tender and a stores van of the passenger train overturned and ended up on the station platform where the stores van burst into flames and burned out.[235]
18 April 1961242Pitsea, Essex: steam-hauled passenger train from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness overturned after running over catch points.[236]
16 July 19617116Singleton Bank rail crash, Weeton, Lancashire: signalman let train enter section of line under engineer's possession, collided with ballast train.
3 June 196237Lincoln rail crash: Excess speed on curve.
26 December 19621834Coppenhall Junction rail disaster, Cheshire: Express hit a second express from the rear. Driver passed signal at danger as phone was out of order, hit stationary train in next section.
25 January 196323Bracebridge Gas Sidings, Lincoln: 2-car DMU travelling from Grantham to Lincoln Central collided with a stationary steam locomotive.[237]
31 July 196312Between Picton and Welbury, North Riding of Yorkshire: Freight train ran into the back of another freight train due to a signal passed at danger.[238]
15 August 196333Knowle and Dorridge rail crash: Pullman train from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Paddington ran into freight train being shunted across its path due to signalman's error.
6 December 196322Stanton Gate, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire: two freight trains collided due one passing a signal at danger.[239]
13 December 1963131Shoreditch, east London: Rear coach of a Liverpool Street-to-Gidea Park train derailed shortly after leaving terminus and is struck by a train travelling in the opposite direction.[240]
5 March 196420Itchingfield Junction, West Sussex: Collision between up goods train (Brighton to Three Bridges, diverted via Steyning line), which overran signals, and down goods train (Three Bridges to Chichester)[241]
28 May 1964327Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire: Train derailed crossing a temporary railway bridge over road widening work at well in excess of the temporary 10 mph (16 km/h) speed limit.[242]
3 June 1964317Bradford Exchange station, West Riding: Driver of DMU train suffered heart attack, train ran out of control on steep downhill approach to station and collided with a stationary mail train at platform.[243]
25 June 196414Nantwich station level-crossing, Nantwich, Cheshire: Express passenger train from Plymouth to Manchester passed signal at danger and crashed through level-crossing gates into 2 road vehicles.[244]
5 October 196401Finsbury Park: Two passenger trains collided in dense fog when the green signal was given in error. The trains were the 08:20 Kings Cross – Doncaster and 09:00 Kings Cross – Newcastle. The only injury was to the driver, who had to be cut from the train.[245]
10 October 196414Millbrook, Bedfordshire: Eight-car DMU from St. Pancras to Bedford travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h) when a fire broke out under the last coach. One passenger died and others injured after jumping from moving train to escape fire.[246]
11 January 196512Coton Hill rail crash, Shrewsbury: Driver of goods train failed to obey stop sign, derailed on trap points and crashed through Coton Hill signal box.[247]
29 March 1965215Elm Park, near Dagenham, Essex: Derailment- Unknown persons placed obstruction on line, derailed London-Fenchurch St.-to-Shoeburyness passenger train travelling at 70 mph (110 km/h)[248]
20 May 1965011Hest Bank, Lancashire: Derailment caused by broken rail.[249]
4 September 196515Holyhead station, Anglesey: local passenger train from Bangor collided with stationary boat train to Euston due to inattention and lack of caution of driver and fireman.[250]
22 September 196538Roundstone level-crossing, Angmering, Sussex: In thick fog a 4-car EMU passenger train crashed through crossing gates, closed across line in error by crossing keeper, and collided with a Southdown double-deck bus traversing the crossing, pushing it 54 yards (49 m) along the track. Bus destroyed by fire.[251]
17 December 196520Bridgend, Glamorgan: Locomotive derailed due to landslide whilst hauling train of empty passenger coaches, and this in turn was run into by a freight train.[252]
13 May 196625Acton Grange Junction, Warrington, Cheshire: Rear section of moving freight train became uncoupled on gradient in the dark and ran downhill into an oncoming London Euston-to-Stranraer boat train, killing the driver and co-driver of the latter train.[253]
28 February 1967916Stechford rail crash, Birmingham: Misunderstood hand signal coupled with an unauthorised movement of a diesel locomotive crossing the running lines into the path of multiple unit passenger train travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h).
5 March 1967518Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire: Signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them.
11 July 1967013Maidstone East station, Kent: Freight train passed signal at danger and ran into rear of stationary passenger train; error by guard resulted in inadequate brake power; excessive speed.[254]
31 July 1967745Thirsk rail crash (1967): Derailment of the rear portion of a freight train led to wagon fouling adjacent track, passenger express ran into wagon at approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
27 September 1967123Foxhall Junction, Didcot: Derailment caused by train driver driving at excessive speed through crossover. (O. S. Nock was a passenger).[255]
5 November 19674978Hither Green rail crash: Hastings-to-Charing Cross train derailed at 70 mph (110 km/h) (113 km/h) due to broken rail.[256]
6 January 19681127Hixon rail crash, Staffordshire: Express passenger train collided at level crossing with road-transporter carrying 110-ton transformer.[257][258]
11 March 196821Peterborough North: Freight train ran into back of another freight train due to driver error.[259]
23 March 196821Hatfield, Hertfordshire: Train driver error caused freight train to crash through buffers on a spur line and into an over-line bridge abutment at about 30 mph (48 km/h).[260]
16 April 196850Beckingham, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire: Stalled car hit by train on half barrier level-crossing situated between Gainsborough Trent junction and Beckingham (the crossing was subsequently closed and a by-pass built). All five occupants in the car were killed, including three children.[261]
12 June 1968210Sandridge, Hertfordshire: Fire on diesel multiple unit after gearbox failure damaged fuel tank; poor maintenance.[262]
9 September 196823Castlecary, Stirlingshire: Locomotive running light ran into the back of a stationary six-car DMU standing at a signal.[263]
4 January 1969411Marden rail crash, Marden, Kent: Express passenger train ran past signal at danger in fog and collided with parcels train.[264]
8 March 1969245Ashchurch, Gloucestershire: Bristol-to-Newcastle upon Tyne express passenger train hit part of a freight train which was derailing due to travelling at excess speed. The sides of several coaches on the passenger train were torn off and two coaches derailed.[265]
8 April 1969230Monmore Green, Wolverhampton: Freight train struck head-on by a passenger train which passed signal at danger; subsequent fire.[266]
7 May 19696121Morpeth rail crash (1969), Northumberland: Driver inattention led to night sleeper train derailing on tight curve at excessive speed (80 mph (130 km/h).
31 December 196919Roade Junction, Northamptonshire: 4-car Coventry-to-London-Euston EMU passenger train collided with a derailed freight train.[267]
20 May 1970213Audenshaw Junction rail crash, Lancashire: Points changed under train; signalman tampered with equipment to speed up working.
26 February 1971113Sheerness-on-Sea, Kent: 10 coach EMU passenger train overran buffers, 13 on train injured, woman waiting in booking hall killed. Driver taken ill.[268]
18 May 197121Middlesbrough, North Riding: Freight train ran into rear of stationary freight train standing at a signal having not been warned by signalman, who should have refused permission to enter that section, of latter's presence.[269]
2 July 1971226Tattenhall Junction, near Chester, Cheshire: School excursion train derailed; buckled track.[270]
8 May 197202Chester General station rail crash, Chester, Cheshire: Freight train vacuum brakes not connected, runaway train hit empty passenger stock in station.[271]
1 June 19726126Eltham Well Hall rail crash, south-east London: Excessive speed on curve: driver intoxicated, assistant driver lacked route knowledge.
16 December 1972011Copyhold Junction, just north of Haywards Heath on London-to-Brighton Line: Slow train from Haywards Heath passed signal at danger, moving onto through line from local line, struck by Victoria-bound fast train.[272]
30 August 1973551Shields Junction near Glasgow: Collision between two passenger trains followed by fire; no clear cause – driver possibly suffered heart attack.[273]
19 December 19731094Ealing rail crash, west London: Battery box door fell open, hit lineside equipment which operated points under train.[274]
11 June 1974135Pollokshields East, Glasgow: EMU passenger train passed signal at danger and collided with DMU passenger train; driver error.[275]
23 January 1975111Watford Junction rail crash, Hertfordshire: Express derailed by a steel stillage that had fallen from freight train, then hit by another express.
6 June 1975667Nuneaton rail crash, Warwickshire: Excessive speed caused derailment of sleeper train. Temporary speed limit equipment faulty and inattention by driver.
26 October 1975141Lunan Bay, Angus: Collision of recovery locomotive and failed train (10.15 Aberdeen to London-King's Cross). Confusion over exact location of failed train and excessive speed.[276]
3 January 197622Worcester Tunnel Junction, Worcester: Locomotive running light runs into the rear of a parcels train due to driver failure to comply with signalman's instructions.[277]
2 June 197600Reading, Berkshire: tire failure results in derailment of express train from Penzance to Paddington[278]
3 December 197618Chivers Occupation level-crossing, Cambridgeshire: Passenger train collided with lorry on unmanned level crossing.[279]
2 July 197700Between Wolverton and Bletchley. Derailment of express parcels train due to undetected continuous-welded rail buckle in hot weather.[280]
5 September 1977210Farnley Junction, Leeds: Signalling problems resulting from technical work by engineering staff lead to head-on collision between passenger train and mail train.[281]
6 July 19781219Taunton train fire, Somerset: Dirty linen stacked against electric heater, (victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning); locked doors.[282]
19 December 1978357Between Hassocks and Preston Park, Sussex: Train ran into rear of another due to incorrect passing of both a caution signal and next signal (showing no aspect), as per rule book requirements.[283]
1 March 197935Naas level-crossing, Lydney, Gloucestershire: Lorry crossed unmanned level-crossing in front of Cardiff-to-Newcastle upon Tyne passenger train travelling at 60 mph (97 km/h). Train crew and lorry driver killed.[284]
25 February 197919Hilsea, Portsea Island: Train struck overhanging crane on adjacent track.
16 April 1979767Paisley Gilmour Street rail crash, Renfrewshire: Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision.
13 August 197902Bushbury Junction, West Midlands: Camshaft failure of a switch diamond crossing caused the approaching Manchester-Piccadilly-to-Birmingham International express to derail at around 35 mph (56 km/h), train lightly loaded. Driver did not return to his duties and died 1 year after the incident.[285]
22 October 1979552Invergowrie rail crash, Perth and Kinross: Train stopped due to traction motor fire, following train ran into rear, poorly maintained signalling equipment.[286]
16 February 1980048Bushey, Hertfordshire: On a section of continuous welded rail a welded joint failed. 20:25 Euston-to-Manchester-Piccadilly derailed at 96 mph (154 km/h). Coaches derailed blocking the adjacent Up Fast Line and Watford DC Line.[287]
9 July 1980021Holborn rail crash, central London: Inattention by driver, signal passed at danger, rear-end collision.[288]
7 November 198021Crewe, Cheshire: Freight train ran into rear of another freight train for reasons unknown.[289]
8 December 1981123Ulleskelf, East Riding: Broken rail led to derailment of York-to-Liverpool passenger train. Two rearmost coaches rolled down steep embankment.[290]
11 December 198145Seer Green rail crash, Buckinghamshire: Signalman misread equipment, excess speed after driver authorised to pass signal at danger, rear-end collision.
4 May 1982031Nairn's level-crossing, Forteviot, Perth & Kinross: Agricultural tractor and trailer grounded on farm crossing hit by express passenger train at 55 mph (89 km/h). Entire train derailed.[291]
9 December 198212Linslade Tunnel, West Coast Main Line. At 2 am a northbound passenger train derailed when it struck permanent way material that had fallen from a previous train. Locomotive hit bridge pier, driver killed.[292]
3 February 1983112Elgin, Moray: Broken rail leads to derailment of Aberdeen-to-Inverness passenger train, rearmost coach turned on its side and slid about 100 metres.[293]
23 November 198303Paddington Station approaches, London: Excessive speed approaching Paddington. Penzance-Paddington sleeper derailed, locomotive 50041 extensively damaged.[294]
9 December 198313Wrawby Junction rail crash, Lincolnshire: Passenger DMU train hit and partially derailed by freight train mistakenly signalled to proceed whilst line ahead in use by passenger train.
24 June 1984035Morpeth rail crash, Northumberland: Excessive speed, sleeping car train derailed, driver intoxicated.[295][296]
30 July 19841344Polmont rail crash, near Falkirk: Leading DBSO of Edinburgh-to-Glasgow train hit stray cow on line, whole train derailed.
11 October 1984318Wembley Central rail crash, London: Collision due to signal passed at danger. Driver mentally incapacitated by medical condition.[297]
4 December 1984368Eccles rail crash (1984), Greater Manchester: Signal passed at danger, rear-end collision.
20 December 198400Summit tunnel fire, Todmorden, West Yorkshire: Faulty axle box caused derailment of petrol tank wagons in tunnel, fire burned for over 36 hours.
31 May 19850104Battersea Park Station, London: Gatwick Express passenger train passed signal at danger in fine, sunny conditions and ran into rear of commuter train that was accelerating away from another signal at which it had been held.[298]
6 November 1985040Copyhold Junction, near Haywards Heath, Sussex: 4-car EMU passenger train passed signal at danger at night, passed over points and collided head-on with another 4-car EMU passenger train travelling in opposite direction.[299]
9 March 1986131Chinley, Derbyshire: Multiple errors by inexperienced signalman led to passenger train being sent onto line where two coupled locomotives were waiting. Collision despite driver of lead waiting locomotives starting to reverse when he saw other train approaching.[300]
15 June 198602Motherwell: Defective and poorly maintained track coupled with hot weather. At approximately 16.31 the 16.10 Glasgow-Central-to-London-Euston passenger train became derailed on the approach to Motherwell Station.[citation needed]
26 July 1986911Lockington rail crash, East Yorkshire: Road vehicle on level-crossing.[citation needed]
19 September 1986160Colwich rail crash, Staffordshire: Head-on collision at converging route. Driver misread signals after failing to read a notification regarding recent signalling changes.[301]
11 September 198622Bridgeton, Glasgow: 2 empty passenger trains collided in tunnel during shunting movement killing 2 crew. Signaller cleared signal for reversing train which did not pass signal after 5 minutes, then set new route for incoming train. Reversing train passed signal, now at danger, and collided with incoming train. Deceased guard did not keep adequate lookout, signaller did not check driver of reversing train knew signal had been reset to danger.[302]
16 October 198623Kensal Green rail crash: Network SouthEast Class 313 collided with rear of Bakerloo line train following driver's misinterpretation of a signal.[303]
19 October 19874River Towy rail crash, near Llandeilo: flood washed bridge away; train fell into river.[304]
October 1987014Forest Gate, London: two trains collided.
11 November 1988116St. Helens rail crash, Merseyside: Train derailed leaving station.
12 December 198835484Clapham Junction rail crash, London: Rear-end collision, oncoming train ran into wreckage: wrong-side signalling failure due to wiring error.[305]
4 March 1989588Purley Station rail crash, London: Missed distant signal, overshot signal at danger; rear-end collision, part of train down embankment.[306]
6 March 1989253Glasgow Bellgrove rail crash: Inattention by driver ("ding-ding, and away"); head-on collision.[307]
5 August 19890West Ealing: Train collided with a piece of rail left on the track, probably by vandals, and the locomotive was derailed.[308]
30 November 1989015Newcastle: Two expresses collided outside the station.[309]
1 August 1990041Reading, Berkshire: Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 passenger trains[310]
4 August 1990136Stafford rail crash (1990): Train signalled into an occupied section, rear-end collision, alcohol and excessive working hours possible causes.[311]
8 January 19912542Cannon Street Station rail crash, London: Passenger train hit buffer stop.[312]
21 July 1991422Newton (South Lanarkshire) rail accident, Glasgow: head-on collision at junction.[313]
7 December 19910186Severn Tunnel rail crash: Rear-end collision, cause uncertain.[314]
13 November 199210Morpeth rail crash 1992, Northumberland: Light engine hit train in rear, driver misunderstood signaller's instruction.
6 September 199301Maidstone East, Kent: Derailment due to driver error, excessive speed.[315]
25 June 199420Greenock rail crash: Train derailed by vandals placing concrete blocks on track.
27 July 199401Morpeth rail crash 1994, Northumberland: excessive speed on curve.
15 October 1994513Cowden rail crash, Kent: Signal passed at danger; head-on collision.[316]

1995 onwards: Post-privatisation

DateKilledInjuredTypeDetails
31 January 19951301995 Ais Gill rail accident: Train hit landslide, oncoming train hit wreckage.[317][318]
11 July 199505Largs, North Ayrshire: Brake failure led to high-speed collision at terminus station.[319]
10 November 199501Royal Oak tube station: Collision.[320]
8 March 19961221996 Stafford rail crash, Staffordshire: axle box failure, train derailed across other tracks, mail train hit wreckage.[321]
8 August 1996169Watford rail crash, West Coast Main Line, Watford: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision with empty stock.[322][323]
4 February 199704Bexley derailment, London: Derailment due to overloaded train and poor track maintenance.[324]
19 September 19977139Southall rail crash, Great Western Main Line, Southall: Signal passed at danger, collided with freight train crossing path. Driver inattention and faulty Automatic Warning System equipment.[325][326]
18 June 199809Sandy, Bedfordshire: Wheel failure caused by metal fatigue. East Coast mainline express derailed south of the station at approximately 100 mph (160 km/h) and came to a halt 400 metres north of the station.[327]
8 January 199904Spa Road Junction rail crash, London: Train passed signal at danger, converging collision, driver error.[328]
23 June 19990311999 Winsford railway accident, Cheshire: Train passed red signal; rear-end collision.[329]
5 October 199931417Ladbroke Grove rail crash Great Western Main Line, London: Driver passed signal SN109 at danger; head-on collision and fire; allegations made at subsequent Inquiry[330] that signal SN109 was hard to see.[331][332]
17 October 2000470+Hatfield rail crash East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Derailment caused by broken rail; restaurant coach hit overhead lines (catenary) stanchion.[333]
1 November 200001Lawrence Hill, Bristol: Driver injured due to incorrect brake operation an empty mail train passed 2 red lights and hit the back of a loaded coal train.[334]
28 February 20011082 seriousGreat Heck Rail Crash East Coast Main Line, near Selby, North Yorkshire: Driver of Land Rover fell asleep and ran down embankment onto track where it was hit by passenger train and a freight train.[335]
28 February 2002114Nocton railway disaster, Lincolnshire: 1 killed in van, 14 injured on train after van crashed through wall and fell onto track.
10 May 2002776Potters Bar rail accident, East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Undetected points fault derailed train, coaches rolled coming to rest on platforms.[336][337]
24 November 2002031Southall East: Broken fishplate caused HST coach to derail, throwing ballast through windows.[338]
7 July 200335Near Pershore, Worcestershire: Minibus carrying farm workers struck by Hereford-to- London-Paddington train on a farm level crossing. Lineside telephone to contact signaller not used. Network Rail had visited site 2 months earlier and reminded farmer of safety obligations.[339]
3 August 200310Burmarsh Road, Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Train driver killed, car on level crossing.[340]
15 February 200443Tebay rail accident West Coast Main Line, Cumbria: Runaway work trolley due to faulty brakes; ran down railway trackworkers.[341][342]
6 November 2004771Ufton Nervet rail crash Reading-to-Taunton Line, Berkshire: A man committed suicide by parking his car on a level crossing, which the inbound InterCity 125 struck, derailing the train.[343][344]
10 July 200510Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Train driver killed, car on level crossing.[345]
3 December 200520Elsenham, Essex: two teenage girls using the station's pedestrian level crossing killed by a train.[346][347]
25 September 200610Copmanthorpe, North Yorkshire: Road vehicle crashed through fence onto railway derailing Virgin CrossCountry Super Voyager train.[348][349]
23 February 2007188Grayrigg derailment, Cumbria: Train derailed over a set of faulty points.[350]
1 February 200803Barrow upon Soar train crash, Leicestershire: Collision between train and an iron footbridge toppled just beforehand by a ballast tipper lorry.
4 January 201002Carrbridge derailment, Scottish Highlands: Freight train derailed just past Carrbridge railway station, Rail Accident Investigation Branch confirmed accident was snow and ice working its way into the space between the brake blocks, line was closed until 13 January. Other possible contributions to the accident was that ploughed snow was left to accumulate too close to the side of the tracks, and the speed of passing trains may have led to snow being pulled into the brake mechanisms.
16 January 201010Welsh Marches Line, Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire: an Arriva Trains Wales train struck two cars on a level-crossing between Hereford and Leominster. One of the cars' passengers was killed.[351][352] Investigation concluded that the signaller had opened the barriers as the train approached, believing it had already passed, after being distracted by a telephone call.[353]
17 August 2010023Little Cornard derailment, Suffolk: sludge tank wagon at telephone-operated works level crossing hit passenger train.
5 November 201006Oxshott, Surrey: a cement mixer lorry fell off a road bridge, striking a Guildford-to-London train. 1 passenger and the lorry driver were seriously injured; others received minor injuries.[354][355]
22 October 201110Liverpool James Street: 16-year-old girl killed when she fell between departing train and platform. Guard who gave the signal to depart while girl was leaning on train convicted of manslaughter and given 5-year jail sentence.[356][357]
21 July 201308Norwich station, Norfolk: 8 passengers taken to hospital after an Abellio Greater Anglia DMU crashed at 8 mph (13 km/h) into two other stationary DMUs in the station. Insufficient braking due to driver inattention. RAIB report indicated employer failed to spot drivers previous lapses in concentration.[358]
7 May 201410Malton, North Yorkshire: 77-year-old man killed after his car was struck on a level crossing by a First TransPennine Express train from Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street.[359]
3 April 2016018Plymouth, Devon: Eighteen injured when Great Western Railway Class 150/2 collided with an InterCity 125 power car at Plymouth.[360]
10 April 2016012Roudham, Norfolk: An Abellio Greater Anglia train from Norwich to Cambridge hit a tractor on a level crossing. The tractor driver suffered serious injuries. Train driver and ten passengers sustained minor injuries.[361]
10 September 201605Dymchurch, Kent: Train hit a tractor on a level crossing. Train driver and 4 passengers injured.[362]
16 September 201602Watford Junction: A London Midland train from Milton Keynes to Euston de-railed following a landslide and was hit by an oncoming train in a tunnel.[363]
3 July 201920Margam, South Wales: Two railway workers were killed after being struck by a Great Western Railway train near Port Talbot Parkway.[364] Following confusion about duties, staff worked without a lookout.[365]
28 January 202000Eastleigh Derailment: A freight train derailed after leaving Eastleigh, blocking the line between Southampton Central and Basingstoke. No-one was hurt but the derailment caused major disruption to local train services.[366]
12 August 202036Stonehaven derailment: an Abellio ScotRail Inter7City HST operating the 06:38 Aberdeen-to-Glasgow Queen Street derailed at Carmont, near Stonehaven following a landslip.[367]
26 August 202000Llangennech derailment: a freight train carrying diesel derailed and caught fire at around 23:20 BST. About 100 people living within 800 m of the fire were evacuated from their homes. No injuries or fatalities were reported.[368]
13 March 202101Kirkby train crash, Merseyside: A Merseyrail Class 507 overran the buffers at Kirkby Station and derailed. Twelve people suffered minor injuries.[369]
31 October 20210142021 Salisbury rail crash: A South Western Railway service collided with a Great Western service in Fisherton Tunnel on its approach to Salisbury station. Train was unable to stop at signal due to leaves on the line and crashed into a second train.[370]
24 August 202311Nottinghamshire Police sergeant Graham Saville was struck by a train whilst attempting to save a distressed man on the tracks near Balderton. Sergeant Saville was taken to hospital in critical condition whilst another man was sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after being electrocuted. Saville died in hospital five days later.[371]
29 September 202302Aviemore railway station: 60103 Flying Scotsman collided with stationary carriages at 6:05pm in Aviemore, Scotland, injuring two people.[372]

There were 732 deaths from 146 accidents in 46 years when there was national rail provided by the state between 17 April 1948 and 15 October 1994. There were 92 deaths from 50 accidents in 28 years when there was privatised rail between 31 January 1995 and 24 August 2021.

London Underground

Despite its age and high usage, train related accidents which have involved passenger fatalities are exceptionally rare. The last major fatal collision was the Moorgate tube crash in 1975. Derailments in the period 2003–2004 killed no-one, although the Chancery Lane derailment in 2003 led to a closure of the Central line whilst urgent safety checks were undertaken.

Tram and light rail

Fatal accidents have occurred involving trams; the worst took place in Dover in 1917, when a tram ran away down a hill and overturned, killing 11 people and injuring 60. In 2016, a tram derailed on a sharp bend and overturned in Croydon, killing seven people and injuring 50.

Staff accidents

For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, working on the United Kingdom's railway was very dangerous for many staff. In 1900, for example, for every one passenger killed or injured in a crash, there were seven worker casualties. This amounted to 15,698 staff injuries and 631 fatalities.[373]

The 'Railway Work, Life & Death' project is uncovering details of British and Irish staff accidents before 1939 and making them freely available, via a database of transcriptions of staff accident investigations and other related records. At March 2023, the database documented nearly 50,000 individuals.[374]

The National Railway Museum has an online exhibit, looking at railway safety—with a focus on the staff.[375]

  • Sonning Cutting, close to the scene of the accident, 24 December 1841. Workmen appear to be repairing bank-slips on the southern side of the cutting at left. Print by JC Bourne published in 1846
  • The Dee bridge after its collapse, 24 May 1847
  • Staplehurst rail crash, 9 June 1865
  • Shipton-on-Cherwell Disaster, 24 December 1874
  • Fallen Tay Bridge from the north, 28 December 1879
  • Inverythan crash, 27 November 1882
  • Esholt Junction rail crash, 9 June 1892
  • Royal Mail train crashes into the back of a loaded coal train at Lawrence Hill station, 1 November 2000
  • Grayrigg derailment, 23 February 2007

See also

Notes

References

Sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rail transport accidents in the United Kingdom.
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