'One of Britain's worst ever rail disasters' to be remembered
The official report revealed that the empty train had been shunted into a siding to allow the express to pass but the points failed to close properly.The signalman was unable to clear the signal for the express, and then worked the points back and forth three times and, unable to clear the signal, waved a green flag to the driver.He had left the points set for the siding and the express was diverted into it and struck the rear of the local train.
'Terrible accident'
To recognise the 120th anniversary of the disaster, Sefton Council has dedicated a page to the crash on their website, and included profiles on those who perished.Among the victims were a solicitor's clerk, a 6-year-old, a coach trimmer, and the son of a famous Wesleyan minister, Rev. Thomas Waugh.Another passenger, Henry Potter, was severely injured in the crash and died three months later.Remarkably, both drivers managed to jump clear before the impact and survived.The Hall Road Rail Disaster was the second serious train crash on the line, with eight people dying in an incident at Waterloo Station less than two years earlier.Blundellsands ward councillor and Sefton Council cabinet member Diane Roscoe said: "Although now forgotten by many, this was a terrible accident."I am pleased the council has been able to work with local historians and Merseyrail to put this permanent memorial in place to remember those so sadly killed on that fateful day."
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