Just over half, 542 other passengers were injured, exacerbated as many of the seated passengers had stood up ready to depart. In that year, the Greater London Council (GLC) published proposals for the "Rochester Way Relief Road", today known as the "A2". He later claimed to a representative from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen that he would not drink again. There was an imbalance with the urine alcohol level which made it very likely that the driver had also been drinking alcohol within an hour of his death, meaning it was possible he had been drinking at the controls. At about 15:20 he booked on duty by telephone with Hither Green depot and travelled by train to Ramsgate. Stokes and Guard H. Atterbury. A 59-year-old female passenger died three days later from injuries sustained. By 1908, Well Hall had acquired a footbridge between the platforms, east of the main building and waiting shelter. The crash happened at around 3.30pm today (May 23). A member of staff on the platform at this time noted that he had seen both Stokes and Wilsdon depart the locomotive and leave the station via Platform No.1 three minutes after having arrived at Margate and this was later compared with the timings made by Guard Atterbury, who recorded a 20:13 departure from Margate (eight minutes late) noting that both Stokes and Wilsdon were absent. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. He had worked with Wilsdon a few times before and considered him an experienced driver. It also meant that his Supervisors at Hither Green would not see him in person. The rear end of the first coach came to rest up against the leading cab. The crew left the cab for a few minutes and as a result the train departed from Margate eight minutes late. D1677. All three of these coaches were leaning over on their left sides to various degrees, with the leading end of the fifth coach having been badly damaged by the impact with the fourth coach. The train passed through at high speed without braking and sped into the curve at around 65 miles per hour (105km/h). Your author surmises it was during this incident that the up side platform canopy was damaged. An ambulance was seen landing at the scene and police are also in attendance. Pin on Eltham Apr 2, 2017 - Eltham Well Hall Rail Crash. These trains would be driven by Southern Region drivers for some of the journey (particularly to ensure that experienced drivers took the trains through the complex arrangements around Clapham Junction) and would, on reaching Margate and being cleared of passengers, take them onward to Ramsgate Depot where they would be stored until the return trip. The curve had a maximum permitted speed to be taken at 20 miles per hour (32km/h) but the train was estimated to have been travelling at 65 miles per hour (105km/h) resulting in the locomotive and all but one of the ten carriages derailing. Wilsdon and Stokes were to sign on duty at Hither Green in person by 15:42 to catch a train as passengers to Ramsgate, transferring at Dartford. The Bexleyheath Line was double-track from the outset and, except for the layout at Barnehurst, stations along the route were built to the same standard design. This procedure was considered practical and was allowed to remain in use, but it was agreed that the method Wilsdon used (where he casually booked on duty and for his own benefit of gaining two additional hours' pay by booking on at 15:22 instead of around 17:00 when he actually did leave home for work) was not appropriate and was to be stopped or prevented wherever possible. The journey was normal until the train stopped for signals at Rainham, whereafter the driver made an unscheduled stop in the station to telephone the signalman and ask about another excursion train that they were due to pass some distance ahead. After arrival at Margate, the train was stabled at Ramsgate. Explore. Lettering on paper caption-sheet stuck on verso of print catalogued. He had worked with Wilsdon occasionally before and had driven with him a few times prior. The original document format was Stapled Book, and comprised 27 pages. The Eltham Well Hall rail crash was an accident on the British railway system that occurred on 11 June 1972 at approximately 21:35. The second excursion train, scheduled to leave Margate at 20:05 was to be crewed by Driver Wilsdon, Secondman P.E. He stated that he was thoroughly ashamed and that he had been celebrating a promotion to the position of Passed Fireman with his colleague who greatly assisted him. News Stories Note how the staircase of the footbridge passed through the roof of the canopy. Closure of Eltham Well Hall and Eltham Park stations was scheduled for Saturday 2nd March 1985, when the new platforms east of the former would be brought into use with a huge interchange with bus services. By contrast to this, secondman Stokes arrived at Hither Green, signed on duty in person at around 15:12 and was instructed by the Supervisor to travel on the 15:32 train and try to meet Wilsdon on the train. On Sunday 11th June 1972 at 21:36, disaster struck. Of these penalties, three were fairly minor isolated offences (unauthorised absence in October 1960, persistent lateness in February 1961 and a "relatively minor driving offence" in February 1963) but two were serious offences, one of which resulted in a temporary suspension. The guard told the inquiry that after leaving Rainham he had noticed that the train's speed has been "a little bit excessive" and that the driver braked intensely between Gillingham and Chatham. Although it was agreed that the signalling played no part in the collision, it was later agreed that the signals around Eltham Well Hall would be redesigned to slow a train to round the curve rather than remain at green, which would mean it would be less likely a driver would be caught by surprise with the curve. As he did not need to be on duty until the afternoon, Wilsdon joined his two brothers for lunch at around 12:55, the three travelling to a local pub where they stayed until closing time just after 14:00. The "up" platform still had vintage style benches, and it is evident that a window had been bricked up in that wall of the main building nearest the camera. Exactly where the pair went in this period is unknown owing to Wilsdon's death and Stokes having little recollection of the events after leaving Ramsgate and although another pub was close to the station, it was considered that neither had time to reach it. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The driver Robert Wilsdon and five passengers were killed, and 126 people were injured. At 19:45 they met with the guard and drove the train to Margate to receive the passengers. A concrete-lined cutting accommodating a dual-carriageway was envisaged, this of which would run parallel with the Bexleyheath Line for about a mile in the vicinity of Eltham, before passing under the railway at Well Hall. Well Hall is a place to the north of Eltham in the Royal Borough of Greenwich in southeast London, England, with no present formal boundaries and located 13.5 km (8.4 mi) east-southeast of Charing Cross. At the subsequent public inquiry it was revealed that the driver had been intoxicated by alcohol. The train was an excursion for Kentish Town-based railway employees of the London Midland Region and their families. At this time, Well Hall gained concrete lampposts with the SRs trademark hexagonal lampshades. The mansion was demolished in 1733, save for a barn, and replaced by a smaller property located outside of the moat. Stationmaster Arundell signalled the train clear to depart for London, but both he and Atterbury found that there was no response in the cab. Decline at Well Hall started when the goods yard ceased to handle coal traffic, in December 1964, followed four years later by the withdrawal of public goods facilities on 7th October 1968. Those who knew the driver said that he was quite a frequent drinker of alcohol and could "carry" much beer. The empty train left Ramsgate and made an uneventful journey to Margate, arriving at around 19:59. Railman Fleming, who was on duty at the platform and knew Wilsdon well, saw the train arrive and asked Wilsdon if it had broken down (owing to the clear signal visible from the platform), to which Wilsdon merely said "No" and jumped down from his cab before walking to a telephone on the platform to speak with Obee. None of the staff were criticised for failing to stop Wilsdon from his duties under the belief he was too drunk and evidence by Wilsdon's father-in-law, brothers and friends confirmed that although Wilsdon did drink heavily, he could "carry" his alcohol well and that the amount of alcohol he drank was not enough to make his drunkenness visible, although the report believed that Wilsdon's actions at Rainham and his reactions at Eltham Well Hall clearly showed that he was beginning to suffer effects of drunkenness. In reality, Wilsdon did not leave for Rainham station until 17:15 and as such his move was solely to gain pay for an extra two hours for which he had not actually been on duty. The tragedy killed 112 people and injured 300 more and to date is the most catastrophic train crash to happen during peace time in England. 2004 - 2023 railwaysarchive.co.uk - all rights reserved. He was thoroughly critical of Wilsdon's behaviour, describing it as "reprehensible" and "disgraceful". News Stories According to Obee, Wilsdon had stopped at Rainham to inquire of the position of the first excursion train, which Obee explained was to stop at Gillingham railway station and would let Wilsdon overtake it, which was not as planned (Wilsdon's train was to overtake the first excursion train at Newington railway station which was prior to Rainham); to which Wilsdon told him "you should read your weekly notices". Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash in pictures: Remembering - MyLondon The rear of the coach had been somewhat damaged by the fifth, sixth and seventh coaches passing by it, derailed but still on the track. Nevertheless, at Wilsdon's suggestion, they both went to the nearby Railway Staff Association Club at about 19:00 and drank three pints of light and bitter beer each. [1] A diesel locomotive pulling ten coaches entered the curve which has a 20 mph speed restriction at 65 mph. Copyright Info. Before he could go ask superiors as to where they were, he saw Stokes and Wilsdon return. The Eltham Well Hall rail crash was an accident on the British railway system that occurred on 11 June 1972 at approximately 21:35. By 1972 he was married with young children and living in Rainham, Kent - which meant he would usually have to make an almost two hour rail commute to his depot at Hither Green. This seaside excursion train derailed on a bend outside Well Hall station, Eltham, South London on June 11th, 1972 killing at least 4 people and. According to Obee, Wilsdon had stopped at Rainham to inquire of the position of the first excursion train, which Obee explained was to stop at Gillingham railway station and would let Wilsdon overtake it, which was not as planned (Wilsdon's train was to overtake the first excursion train at Newington railway station which was prior to Rainham); to which Wilsdon told him "you should read your weekly notices". There are currently no news items related to this accident. By 1972 he was married with young children and living in Rainham, Kent - which meant he would usually have to make an almost two hour rail commute to his depot at Hither Green. This item is linked to the Accident at Eltham Well Hall on 11th June 1972. He later claimed to a representative from the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen that he would not drink again. About: Eltham Well Hall rail crash - dbpedia.org 0 references. Photograph by Press Association, 1972. In the cab, Stokes later recalled that Wilsdon had suddenly shouted in a frightened way at the sight of the curve approaching, to which Stokes immediately braced himself in the seconds that he had available. Statistics According to them, the three returned home and spent the afternoon indoors with the children until Robert was driven by one of his brothers to Rainham station at around 17:15. After the crossing was cleared, he set the route for the train to proceed but instead, the train came to a stop at the platform. This document was kindly sourced from Harry Knox and is in our Accident reports collection. [2], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}512719N 00301E / 51.45536N 0.05019E / 51.45536; 0.05019, Events prior to Wilsdon arriving at Ramsgate, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, "Railway crash driver survived dismissal", "Accident at Eltham Well Hall on 11th June 1972", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eltham_Well_Hall_rail_crash&oldid=1142297435, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 16:48. At the subsequent public inquiry it was revealed that Wilsdon had been intoxicated by alcohol. An excursion train returning from Margate came off the track on the sharp curve outside the station. This was a very unusual action, particularly as he had made up almost seven minutes of the lost time. The Inspecting Officer, Colonel J.R.H. Running slightly late and at Wilsdon's urging, the pair returned to Ramsgate Depot at around 19:40. The curve at Eltham has a speed limit of 20 miles per hour (32km/h), but according to eyewitness accounts, the train entered it whilst travelling at about 65 miles per hour (105km/h). The front of the cab was torn open and debris thrown and 'ploughed' inside, killing Wilsdon and severely injuring Stokes. Having left Margate eight minutes late and scheduled to run non-stop (aside from a later stop to change crew), Wilsdon was able to run the train at high speed and according to Atterbury's timings, was only a minute late after passing Faversham (24miles from Margate). Guard Atterbury was not criticised whatsoever for his behaviour and it was considered unfortunate that his "splashes" were too weak to gain Wilsdon's attention. This issue was however was brought up again in 1991 after the Cannon Street station rail crash in which the driver in that instance was believed to have been high on cannabis and caused a buffer-stop collision.
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