Singleton Bank rail crash

53°48′27″N 2°57′00″W / 53.8076°N 2.9500°W / 53.8076; -2.9500

Singleton Bank rail crash
Details
Date16 July 1961
10:30
LocationWeeton, Lancashire
CountryEngland
LineFleetwood Branch Line
CauseSignaller error; site staff error
Statistics
Trains2
Deaths7
Injured116
List of UK rail accidents by year

The Singleton Bank rail crash occurred on 16 July 1961 near Weeton, Lancashire, England.

Events

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The 8:50 diesel multiple unit train from Colne to Fleetwood collided with the rear of a ballast train at about 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). The latter had been working in the vicinity of Singleton Bank signal box and was about to leave to clear the section for the express.

Victims

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Seven were killed (the driver and six passengers) and 116 were injured.[1]

Report

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The signalman at Singleton misunderstood a telephone message which led him to make a serious error and accept the diesel train irregularly. The accident report also strongly criticised the local inspectors for allowing poor working practices.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Langley, Brig C A (22 December 1961), Report on the Collision at Singleton Bank (PDF), HMSO, retrieved 10 January 2009