70 MPH MIRACLE
OF
HEST BANK
By DICK QUICK and JOHN GUEST
NINE coaches of a 70 m.p.h. express overturned
after being derailed in a Lancashire village station today. Four coaches gouged into a
platform. But none of the 115 passengers died."It was the miracle of Hest Bank,"
said a railman.
Amid the twisted wreckage - the forlorn
station sign. |
Most of the passengers on the
Glasgow-London express were sleeping when the coaches leapt from the rails. It probably
saved them from serious injury. Only 11 people, one a woman expecting a child, had to be
taken to hospital, and just two were detained, Both were later said to be comfortable,
Lancashire Fire Brigade preparing for a massive rescue operation, sent nine fire engines
with lifting equipment and emergency lighting. A fleet of ambulances was sent, too, but
only two were needed to take the injured to hospital.
A dramatic view of the scene along the line
where the express was derailed - though nine coaches were derailed the giant diesel loco
stayed on the lines. |
COUPLING
Police after talking to the engine driver,
quashed rumours that "wreckers" had caused the crash. An investigation into the
cause started immediately. One of the first theories is that a broken coupling may be to
blame for the near disaster. The express split into three sections. The rear five coaches
overturned outside the station, then four more coaches overturned and demolished part of
the level crossing and damaged the station platform. The other three coaches and diesel
engine remained on the rails. Twelve passengers were trapped in the wreckage. Police and
firemen quickly freed them. Most. of the wrecked carriages were sleeping cars. Wreckage
was strewn over a long stretch of line. Some of the coaches ended up in a field. Many of
the passengers were from Scotland.
HORRIBLE
One of the passengers was 64 yr. old Bill
Williams from Bamber Bridge. "Everything was quiet and dark in the carriage" he
said.
"It was exactly 2:15 when there was an awful wrenching sound from under the carriage
and over half the train crashed over on to the platform. Everybody rushed around in a sort
of panic. I don‘t think they realised what had happened. Suddenly , as if from
nowhere, there were police and ambulance men helping out injured people-it was horrible.
It was a thing I shall remember for the rest, of my life." A Salvation Army officer
was one of the many helpers. He was giving first aid to a passenger who turned to him and
said:"I have lost my gold watch and cuff-links." The Salvation Army officer
replied:"Thank God you have not lost your life." One of the first on the scene
was l9-year-old Susan Harrison whose garden is only a few yards away from the carriages
which toppled off the line, "I heard this most awful crashing which seemed to go on
and on." she said. I looked out of the window and saw the train almost in the field.
All I could hear was people groaning as they tried to climb out of the train.
"Several had been thrown clear and were lying in the ditch and the field.
 Watched by the divisional maintenance engineer, Mr. N.R.Peach, in
charge of the operation, engineers toil to clear the track of wreckage.
|
WINDOWS
"The most pitiful thing was the
children-they seemed to be expressionless and bewildered. Policemen picked them up and
looked after them. At least eight little children were crowded together until their
parents were found." Mr and Mrs William Robinson were asleep when flying debris broke
two of their cafe windows.
Said Mrs Robinson, "The funny thing is that although we were on the spot we
never heard a thing until a policeman knocked at the door and I heard someone say
‘Ambulances are coming.."when we got up. we knew something terrible bad happened
so we put the kettles on. There was no panic at all and all the passengers were
wonderful" As soon as they recovered from the shock. many of the passengers went, to
look for their luggage. Many passengers were taken by coach to the WVS centre at Lancaster
and later continued their journey to London by train from Lancaster. It .is expected that
one of the lines may be reopened later today but the other is badly damaged, Parts of the
track are twisted and broken and the crossing gates smashed, Trains were diverted at
Carnforth and sent through Wennington and Hellifield. After speaking to the train driver,
62-year-old Adam Keating. of Carlisle. Mr Harry Sanders. Asst. Chief Constable of
Lancashire. said he was satisfied there was nothing on the line that could have caused the
derailment. He commented"We have been very fortunate indeed. It could have been a
great deal worse and everything has turned out, all right." An inquiry will be held
in Preston tomorrow.
 Shaken passengers after scrambling out of the
wreckage are led to the emergency first aid centre at Lancaster. |
"70 MPH MIRACLE OF HEST BANK"
Lancashire Evening Post Thursday May 20th 1965
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