List of rail accidents in the United Kingdom

31 July 1815

16

boiler explosion

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

15 September 1830

1

0

Collision with person on track

Parkside: William Huskisson was fatally injured at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway when he was hit by Stephenson's Rocket. Huskisson is often reported as the first railway fatality, including in ordinarily reliable sources. This is untrue; at least two people were killed on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway before it opened t

April 1831

Signalling error

Newton 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 £270 in 2025).

4 May 1833

Level crossing collision

Bagworth: Collision with farmer's cart on level crossing, led to the implementation of the locomotive whistle.

3 December 1836

3

Derailment due to signalling error

Wetheral train accident: Train on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway wrongly diverted into a siding at Wetheral, near Carlisle, Cumbria. The train derailed and crushed three people to death.

7 August 1840

5

Derailment

Howden rail crash, East Riding: Large casting fell from wagon and derailed coaches.

25 October 1840

1

4

Train overruning line end

Faringdon Road, Berkshire: Driver asleep at controls.

10 November 1840

2

Boiler explosion

Bromsgrove, Worcestershire: Boiler explosion.

24 December 1841

8

17

Landslip in cutting (collision with)

Railway accident at Sonning Cutting: Train ran into landslide caused by heavy rain.

2 April 1842

4

Tunnel collapse

Wallers Ash tunnel collapse: A section of the 458-metre-long (1,503 ft) Wallers' Ash railway tunnel in Hampshire collapsed.

6 January 1843

1

1

Rear-end collision

Barnsley 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".

29 March 1844

1

Rear-end collision

Clay Cross Tunnel accident. The driver of a train died as a result of a rear-end collision, which operated with a timed safety system.

5 October 1844

0

23

Rear-end collision

Anerley. Train ran into rear of train in front after signaller's error.

8 October 1844

2

Multiple collision

West Harton rail accident. Multiple collision between two trains and a group of parked carriages in West Harton, South Shields, England. The collision occurred due to the train protection systems that were still very imperfect at the time.

November 1844

2

15

Head-on collision

Beeston, Nottinghamshire. 2 trains collided head-on in heavy fog.

6 October 1845

0

1

Derailment

Penistone: Train derailed by cow.

20 January 1846

1

1

Bridge collapse

Penshurst bridge collapse. A railway bridge between Penshurst and Tonbridge, Kent, collapsed into River Medway when a train was passing over it. The locomotive driver was rescued, but subsequently died. This is the first known railway accident due to a bridge collapse.

24 May 1847

5

9

Bridge failure

Dee bridge disaster: Bridge collapsed into the river at Chester.

24 May 1847

2

Derailment

Southall: Broken locomotive tyre.

5 June 1847

7

Signalling error

Wolverton. Down mail train was switched into sidings in error by signalman where it collided with coal wagons.

10 May 1848

6

13

Shrivenham, Berkshire: Express struck horse-box and cattle-van.

10 February 1849

5

Rockcliffe, Cumbria. Axle failure resulted in derailment and carriages falling down an embankment.

27 June 1849

1

Hemerdon: The boiler of the engine 'Goliah' exploded.

1 August 1850

5

10

Cowlairs, Glasgow. A crowded early morning train passed a signal at danger then stopped before being hit from behind by another train.

30 April 1851

9

30–40

Sutton 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.

6 June 1851

5

1?

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.

6 September 1851

6

Bicester, Oxfordshire: Points were moved under the train by signalman resulting in derailment.

5 February 1852

0

0

Reading, Berkshire: Confusion over signals led to collision between express train and goods train at the junction of the Berks & Hants Branch line.

13 March 1852

2

Basingstoke rail accident: Tyre failure. Driver and fireman killed.

12 July 1852

4

a great number

Burnley Thorneybank, Lancashire.

20 October 1852

0

6

Aynho, 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 pul

4 March 1853

6

Dixon Fold: Derailment on deteriorated track.

6 March 1853

6

Unknown

Boiler explosion

Longsight station, Manchester. Corrosion in the locomotive firebox due to inadequate inspections and maintenance resulted in a boiler explosion.

9 March 1853

2

Mangotsfield: 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.

5 October 1853

18

Unknown

Straffan rail accident, County Kildare, Ireland: Collision of goods train into rear of stationary passenger train.

21 August 1854

3

11

Collision

1854 Croydon rail accident. An excursion train ran into a locomotive taking water. The locomotive of the excursion train and its following brake van derailed and were thrown off the curve. The following carriages telescoped into each other.

12 September 1855

7

7

Reading: Head-on collision between light engine running on wrong line and passenger train.

18 September 1855

3

0

Dinting 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 d

27 September 1855

1

9

Summerseat, north of Bury, Lancashire: Accrington-to-Bury passenger train runs into stationary goods train due to faulty signal.

4 August 1856

3

9

Stubbins, north of Ramsbottom, Lancashire: Northbound passenger train derails and overturns due to poorly installed temporary level-crossing.

6 October 1856

2

1

buffer stop collision

Salisbury A crash resulted in 2 deaths and 1 injury and a complete damaged train.

28 June 1857

11

30

Lewisham rail crash (1857), South London: two trains collided

23 August 1858

14

50

Round 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 1859

0

0

Virginia Water, Surrey. Special train from Ascot ran into the back of another special train.

16 July 1859

1

79

Bishopton, Renfrewshire: Two passenger trains collide in a tunnel at Bishopton.

16 September 1859

0

7

Staines, Surrey. Signal passed at danger resulted in collision between 2 trains.

20 February 1860

7

9

Tottenham station: Locomotive wheel failure led to derailment and collision with station platform.

4 September 1860

11

77

Helmshore 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 1860

10

Atherstone rail accident. The Duke and Duchess of Montrose were passengers.

11 June 1861

2

Wooton Bridge Collapse: Freight train, cast iron girders broke.

25 August 1861

23

176

Clayton Tunnel rail crash: Train hit stationary train in tunnel, confusion over signalling.

2 September 1861

16

Kentish Town rail accident: Signalman's error: engineering ballast train draws out of siding into path of passenger train.

23 September 1861

0

12

Mangotsfield: A goods train shunted into sidings broke down while crossing the track, and was subsequently hit by an excursion train.

6 December 1861

1

Portswood rail accident.

13 October 1862

17

Winchburgh rail crash: Collision in deep cutting.

3 August 1863

7

King's Lynn: Derailment.

7 June 1864

7

Egham: A special train passed a signal at danger and collided with the train in front.

11 October 1864

0

unknown

Putney. A passenger train collided with a goods train due to passing an unlit signal at danger.

14 December 1864

5

Blackheath Tunnel.

7 June 1865

11

30

Rednal rail crash: Excursion train failed to see warning flag for track maintenance.

9 June 1865

10

49

Staplehurst rail crash: Train ran over bridge where rails removed for work. Charles Dickens was a passenger.

9 June 1866

2

2

Welwyn Tunnel rail crash: Collision and fire in tunnel.

26 February 1867

2

Yanwath: Collision of goods trains, one carrying gunpowder; subsequent explosion.

29 June 1867

8

33

Rear-end collision

Warrington rail crash.

20 August 1868

33

Abergele train disaster:

18 December 1869

4

Dalton Junction rail crash; axle break derails Night Mail.

9 October 1869

7

Long Eaton: Collision.

20 June 1870

18

Newark rail crash: Excursion and freight train collided.

10 July 1870

5

29

St Nicholas Crossing, south of Carlisle Citadel: Freight train runs into side of up LNWR mail train on level junction.

14 September 1870

3

13

Tamworth rail crash: Signalman's error diverted Irish Mail into siding where it crashed into river.

28 October 1870

1

0

Bishopstoke collision: Stoker Edward Bist aged 24, Cattle Train heavy, wet rails, took longer to stop.

26 November 1870

7

Harrow: Signal overrun in fog.

6 December 1870

5

57

Brockley Whins.

12 December 1870

15

59

Stairfoot rail accident: Train divided.

26 December 1870

8

3

Wheel failure

Hatfield rail crash (1870): Coach wheel failure caused train separation.

5 September 1871

0

30

Reading, Berkshire: Signalman's error results in passenger train colliding with goods wagons.

21 February 1872

2

Whiteball Tunnel. The two packers had incautiously gone up the tunnel on a trolley and were overtaken by the engine.

20 July 1872

0

0

Reading, Berkshire: Coupling failure resulted in mail train colliding with goods train in fog.

2 October 1872

12

Kirtlebridge rail crash. Collision.

2 August 1873

13

30

Wigan rail crash. Facing points moved under train.

13 February 1923

3

23

Retford, Nottinghamshire: Driver error

15 April 1923

0

9

Curry Rivel Junction, Somerset: Signalman Error

5 July 1923

4

11

Diggle, West Riding: Driver error

3 November 1924

15

12

Lytham rail crash: Locomotive tyre fracture

20 November 1924

9

11

Whitehouse North Junction, Preston: Collision between a Preston-to-Ormskirk passenger train and a light engine.

12 October 1925

0

21

Llandudno Carnarvonshire: Driver error, signal passed at danger.

7 December 1925

9

6

Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire: Collision with road vehicle.

18 February 1926

1

Mangotsfield: A wagon examiner was walking in the sidings when he lurched into the path of a train and was run over.

30 August 1926

9

Naworth level crossing accident: Collision with charabanc on crossing.

19 November 1926

9

Parkgate and Rawmarsh, West Riding: Derailment and collision

14 February 1927

12

24

Hull Paragon rail accident: Head-on collision caused by signalling error.

27 February 1927

0

48

Penistone: Shunting engine passed signal meant for express, collision.

24 August 1927

13

Sevenoaks railway accident: Derailment.

27 June 1928

25

45

Darlington rail crash: head-on collision. Driver misunderstood a calling on signal during shunting and passed home signal at danger.

9 July 1928

2

London Bridge: Driver of light engine misread signals.

9 October 1928

1

14

New 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).

13 October 1928

16

41

Charfield 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.

8 January 1929

4

38

Ashchurch: Signal overrun.

12 February 1929

2

0

Doe Hill: Head-on collision. Signalman's error.

20 November 1929

3

Combe Down Tunnel accident: Train crew overcome by smoke in a tunnel, runaway train crashed into a goods yard.

9 January 1930

0

Lawrence Hill: Rear collision, signalman incorrectly accepted next train.

22 March 1931

6

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire: Train derailed due to driver exceeding speed limit on slow lines.

17 June 1932

4

54

Great Bridgeford, Staffordshire: Excessive speed

25 May 1933

5

Raynes Park, Surrey: Train derailed due to uncompleted track maintenance.

10 July 1933

1

35

Little Salkeld: Signalman's error

6 December 1933

1

6

Altrincham: Signalman's error

19 December 1933

2

1

Hellifield, West Riding: Shunter/guard error caused head-on collision.

19 December 1933

1

0

Swindon: Retired GWR chief mechanical engineer George Jackson Churchward killed while using foot crossing by the Fishguard express.

July 1934

1

Mangotsfield: A platelayer was hit by a train while clearing weeds from the track.

6 September 1934

9

11

Port Eglinton Junction, Glasgow: Head-on collision.

28 September 1934

12

Winwick rail crash: Collision at junction: overloaded signalman, mistake by his assistant lad.

15 June 1935

14

81

Welwyn Garden City rail crash: rear-end collision caused by signalman's error.

15 January 1936

2

10

Shrivenham: Train collided with breakaway wagons.

23 December 1936

0

0

Mangotsfield: Two passenger carriages derailed while shunting after becoming fouled on a set of points.

2 April 1937

10

80

Battersea Park rail crash: Signalling error.

10 December 1937

35

179

Castlecary rail crash: Whiteout in snowy night and snow blocked points, rear-end collision.

21 January 1938

3

46

Oakley Junction, Bedfordshire: Signalman's error

8 April 1938

2

15

Rutherglen: Axle defect.

4 August 1938

1

3

Wishaw South, Lanarkshire: Driver error – excessive speed

22 February 1939

1

161

Glasgow: Passing Signal at danger caused by driver error, rear-end collision with another passenger train at Stobcross West Junction.

4 February 1940

1

6

Watford: Landslide, embankment slid onto track.

4 November 1940

27

56

Norton Fitzwarren rail crash (1940): Driver read wrong signal, drove off end of track at 40 mph (64 km/h).

15 February 1941

1

Mangotsfield: A 15-year old railway employee was involved in an accident with a train, receiving severe head injuries.

2 July 1941

5

24

Dolphin Junction, Slough: Signalman failed to notice train.

14 September 1941

9

45

Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: Signalman's error.

30 December 1941

23

57

Eccles rail crash: Train passed red signal in fog and wartime blackout, collision on crossing.

2 February 1942

14

54

Cowlairs 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.

16 January 1944

9

38

Ilford rail crash: Politician Frank Heilgers killed, signal passed at danger in fog.

13 March 1944

1

7

Near Henstridge, Somerset: unconfirmed 1 killed, 7 injured: U . road transport vehicle crashed through bridge wall onto passing train.

2 June 1944

2

29

Soham rail disaster: Explosion of ammunition wagon.

16 August 1944

8

61

Upchurch, Kent: V-1 flying bomb destroys a bridge directly ahead of an express train.

10 January 1945

22

27

Ballymacarrett rail crash: Collision caused by driver error; excess speed in fog.

4 February 1945

2

26

King's Cross railway accident: Locomotive slipped to stand in tunnel, train rolled back into station.

30 September 1945

43

64

Bourne End rail crash: excess speed on turnout.

10 November 1945

0

23

Woking crash: Driver and other errors Passenger train collides with rear of second passenger train.

31 December 1945

3

10

Northwood Middlesex: Collision due to excess speed in fog

1 January 1946

20

21

Lichfield rail crash: Signal interlocking failed due to frozen points, goods train collided with rear of stationary passenger train.

5 January 1946

10

18

Browney rail crash: Goods train divided and crashed, the wreckage of which was hit by an express travelling in the opposite direction.

10 February 1946

2

17

Potters 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.

19 March 1946

1

13

Mottingham: Signaller error. Electric passenger train collided with a stationary light engine that was waiting to move into the sidings.

10 November 1946

0

7

Marshmoor, Hertfordshire: Derailment due to track defects

27 December 1946

0

3

Byfleet, Surrey: Derailment due to track defects

2 January 1947

7

45

Gidea Park: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.

18 May 1947

0

4

Lambrigg Crossing signal box between Grayrigg and Oxenholme: 4 hospitalised. Express driver missed a signal while looking in his food box, hit light engine.

21 July 1947

5

64

Polesworth, Warwickshire: Derailment due to track defects.

9 August 1947

18

118

Doncaster: Signalman's error, rear-end collision.

24 October 1947

32

183

South Croydon rail crash: Signalman's error in fog, rear-end collision.

26 October 1947

27

Goswick rail crash: Excess speed on diversion, driver did not read warning notice.

6 November 1947

4

101

Motspur Park, Surrey: Fogman's error

10 December 1947

1

2

Train of tank wagons carrying petrol ran out of control and crashed through buffers at Manchester Victoria station, caused by misjudgement by the driver.

17 April 1948

24

30

Winsford 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.

19 May 1948

8

34

Wath Road Junction: Buckled track derailed locomotive; train rolled down embankment.

16 October 1948

2

0

Conington 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.

30 November 1948

5

36

Stockport 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.

16 December 1948

1

Mangotsfield: A 16-year old railway employee was hit by a mail train.

23 June 1949

0

7

Train fire near Penmanshiel Tunnel: two coaches of Edinburgh-to-King's Cross express destroyed by fire.

30 September 1949

1

Mangotsfield: A train fireman was hit by an express train.

4 October 1949

2

Oakley (Bedfordshire): Freight train collides with stationary freight train on viaduct and plunges off it into a meadow

13 May 1950

0

68

Preston, Lancashire: Passenger train from Southport collided with a stationary light engine after passing signals at danger

8 June 1950

5

0

near Beattock Summit: Fire on train.

27 August 1950

6

35

Penmaenmawr crash, north Wales: Up Irish Mail sleeper train from Holyhead to Euston collided with shunting locomotive at night due to signalman's error.

7 September 1950

3

1

Hopworthy, Holsworthy, Devon: Train hit tractor on farm crossing.

16 March 1951

14

29

Doncaster 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 1951

0

22

Train fire near Huntingdon: four coaches of King's Cross-to-Leeds express destroyed by fire.

17 August 1951

3

41

Newcastle rail crash between electric units due to starting when signal at danger.

21 September 1951

15

26

Weedon crash, Northamptonshire: Jammed locomotive axlebox caused derailment of Liverpool Lime Street-to-Euston passenger train at speed

18 April 1952

0

34

Blea Moor (Settle-Carlisle Line): Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and derailed train.

8 October 1952

112

340

Harrow 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.

25 October 1952

0

3

Crewkerne: Brake rod on locomotive tender detached and debris flew through coach.

5 May 1953

6

0

Ystrad Caron level-crossing near Tregaron: van with six occupants on crossing hit by non-scheduled train.

15 August 1953

10

58

Irk 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.

28 October 1953

0

1

Goswick derailment: Glasgow-to-Colchester express passenger train derailed at Goswick.

17 December 1953

1

1

Longniddry 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.

23 January 1955

17

43

Sutton 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.

28 May 1955

3

40

Wormit, Fife: Train derailed at excessive speed in tunnel, overturning onto a platform at Wormit Station. Locomotive fireman and two passengers on footplate killed.

20 November 1955

11

157

Milton rail crash, Oxfordshire: Passenger train from Treherbert to London Paddington derailed whilst passing over a crossover at excessive speed.

2 December 1955

13

35

Barnes rail crash: rear-end collision because signalman error.

22 December 1955

1

50

Luton station accident: Northbound passenger train in rear-end collision with stationary northbound passenger train.

6 September 1956

0

3

Ludlow, Shropshire: Collision due to driver error.

7 January 1957

1

25

Welwyn Garden City rail crash, Hertfordshire: Signals ignored in fog, rear-end collision with another passenger train.

9 February 1957

2

Chapel-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 1957

90

173

Lewisham 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.

30 January 1958

10

89

Dagenham East rail crash: Signal passed at danger in thick fog by passenger train, rear-end collision with preceding passenger train

4 July 1958

0

45

Maze 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

25 August 1958

5

41

Eastbourne 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 1958

0

5

Hitchin 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

26 October 1959

0

22

Ardsley: Collision due to inadequate signalling arrangements.

21 January 1960

5

9

Settle 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 1960

2

26

Between 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.

2 December 1960

4

1

North Belton level-crossing, near Dunbar, East Lothian: Car with five occupants hit by two freight trains on a level-crossing.

8 February 1961

0

6

Royton, Lancashire: Runaway train crashed through buffers and demolished a pair of terraced houses.

13 February 1961

3

7

Baschurch, 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 burn

18 April 1961

2

42

Pitsea, Essex: steam-hauled passenger train from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness overturned after running over catch points.

16 July 1961

7

116

Singleton Bank rail crash, Weeton, Lancashire: signalman let train enter section of line under engineer's possession, collided with ballast train.

3 June 1962

3

7

Lincoln rail crash: Excess speed on curve.

26 December 1962

18

34

Coppenhall 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 1963

2

3

Bracebridge Gas Sidings, Lincoln: 2-car DMU travelling from Grantham to Lincoln Central collided with a stationary steam locomotive.

31 July 1963

1

2

Between Picton and Welbury, North Riding of Yorkshire: Freight train ran into the back of another freight train due to a signal passed at danger.

15 August 1963

3

3

Knowle 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 1963

2

2

Stanton Gate, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire: two freight trains collided due one passing a signal at danger.

13 December 1963

1

31

Shoreditch, 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.

5 March 1964

2

0

Itchingfield 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)

28 May 1964

3

27

Cheadle 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.

3 June 1964

3

17

Bradford 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.

25 June 1964

1

4

Nantwich 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.

5 October 1964

0

1

Finsbury 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.

10 October 1964

1

4

Millbrook, 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.

11 January 1965

1

2

Coton Hill rail crash, Shrewsbury: Driver of goods train failed to obey stop sign, derailed on trap points and crashed through Coton Hill signal box.

29 March 1965

2

15

Elm Park, near Dagenham, Essex: Derailment- Unknown persons placed obstruction on line, derailed London-Fenchurch St passenger train travelling at 70 mph (110 km/h)

20 May 1965

0

11

Hest Bank, Lancashire: Derailment caused by broken rail.

4 September 1965

1

5

Holyhead 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.

22 September 1965

3

8

Roundstone 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.

17 December 1965

2

0

Bridgend, Glamorgan: Locomotive derailed due to landslide whilst hauling train of empty passenger coaches, and this in turn was run into by a freight train.

13 May 1966

2

5

Acton 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.

28 February 1967

9

16

Stechford 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 1967

5

18

Connington South rail crash, Huntingdonshire: Signal operator wilfully defeated interlocking and moved facing points while passenger train was passing over them.

22 May 1967

0

12

Tyseley North Junction, Birmingham: A . pickup shoe fixing bolts worked loose and fell out under the locomotive hauling a London-Birmingham express passenger train. The shoe struck the stretcher bar of facing points at around 60 mph, causing the points to move under the train.

11 July 1967

0

13

Maidstone 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.

31 July 1967

7

45

Thirsk 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 1967

1

23

Foxhall Junction, Didcot: Derailment caused by train driver driving at excessive speed through crossover. (O. S. Nock was a passenger).

5 November 1967

49

78

Hither Green rail crash: Hastings-to-Charing Cross train derailed at 70 mph (110 km/h) (113 km/h) due to broken rail.

6 January 1968

11

27

Hixon rail crash, Staffordshire: Express passenger train collided at level crossing with road-transporter carrying 110-ton transformer.

11 March 1968

2

1

Peterborough North: Freight train ran into back of another freight train due to driver error.

23 March 1968

2

1

Hatfield, 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).

16 April 1968

5

0

Beckingham, 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.

12 June 1968

2

10

Sandridge, Hertfordshire: Fire on diesel multiple unit after gearbox failure damaged fuel tank; poor maintenance.

9 September 1968

2

3

Castlecary, Stirlingshire: Locomotive running light ran into the back of a stationary six-car DMU standing at a signal.

4 January 1969

4

11

Marden rail crash, Marden, Kent: Express passenger train ran past signal at danger in fog and collided with parcels train.

8 March 1969

2

45

Ashchurch, 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.

31 January 1995

1

30

1995 Ais Gill rail accident: Train hit landslide, oncoming train hit wreckage.

11 July 1995

0

5

Largs, North Ayrshire: Buffer stop collision at terminus station.

10 November 1995

0

1

Royal Oak tube station: Collision.

8 March 1996

1

22

1996 Stafford rail crash, Staffordshire: axle box failure, train derailed across other tracks, mail train hit wreckage.

8 August 1996

1

69

Watford rail crash, West Coast Main Line, Watford: Signal passed at danger, head-on collision with empty stock.

4 February 1997

0

4

Bexley derailment, London: Derailment due to overloaded train and poor track maintenance.

19 September 1997

7

139

Southall 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.

18 June 1998

0

9

Sandy, 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 (1,300 ft) north of the station.

8 January 1999

0

4

Spa Road Junction rail crash, London: Train passed signal at danger, converging collision, driver error.

23 June 1999

0

31

1999 Winsford railway accident, Cheshire: Train passed red signal; rear-end collision.

5 October 1999

31

417

Ladbroke Grove rail crash Great Western Main Line, London: Driver passed signal SN109 at danger; head-on collision and fire; allegations made at subsequent Inquiry that signal SN109 was hard to see.

17 October 2000

4

70+

Hatfield rail crash East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Derailment caused by broken rail; restaurant coach hit overhead lines (catenary) stanchion.

1 November 2000

0

1

Lawrence 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.

28 February 2001

10

82 serious

Great 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.

28 February 2002

1

14

Nocton railway disaster, Lincolnshire: 1 killed in van, 14 injured on train after van crashed through wall and fell onto track.

10 May 2002

7

76

Potters Bar rail accident, East Coast Main Line, Hertfordshire: Undetected points fault derailed train, coaches rolled coming to rest on platforms.

24 November 2002

0

31

Southall East: Broken fishplate caused HST coach to derail, throwing ballast through windows.

7 July 2003

3

5

Near 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.

3 August 2003

1

0

Burmarsh Road, Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Train driver killed, car on level crossing.

15 February 2004

4

3

Tebay rail accident West Coast Main Line, Cumbria: Runaway work trolley due to faulty brakes; ran down railway trackworkers.

6 November 2004

7

71

Ufton 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.

10 July 2005

1

0

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway: Train driver killed, car on level crossing.

3 December 2005

2

0

Elsenham, Essex: two teenage girls using the station's pedestrian level crossing killed by a train.

25 September 2006

1

0

Copmanthorpe, North Yorkshire: Road vehicle crashed through fence onto railway derailing Virgin CrossCountry Super Voyager train.

23 February 2007

1

88

Grayrigg derailment, Cumbria: Train derailed over a set of faulty points.

1 February 2008

0

3

Barrow upon Soar train crash, Leicestershire: Collision between train and an iron footbridge toppled just beforehand by a ballast tipper lorry.

4 January 2010

0

2

Carrbridge 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 accu

16 January 2010

1

0

Welsh 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. Investigation concluded that the signaller had opened the barriers as the train approached, believing it had already passed, after being distracted by a telepho

17 August 2010

0

23

Little Cornard derailment, Suffolk: sludge tank wagon at telephone-operated works level crossing hit passenger train.

5 November 2010

0

6

Oxshott, 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.

22 October 2011

1

0

Liverpool 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.

21 July 2013

0

8

Norwich 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.

7 May 2014

1

0

Malton, 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.

3 April 2016

0

18

Plymouth, Devon: Eighteen injured when Great Western Railway Class 150/2 collided with an InterCity 125 power car at Plymouth.

10 April 2016

0

12

Roudham, 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.

10 September 2016

0

5

Dymchurch, Kent: Train hit a tractor on a level crossing. Train driver and 4 passengers injured.

16 September 2016

0

2

Watford 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.

3 July 2019

2

0

Margam, South Wales: Two railway workers were killed after being struck by a Great Western Railway train near Port Talbot Parkway. Following confusion about duties, staff worked without a lookout.

28 January 2020

0

0

Eastleigh 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.

12 August 2020

3

6

Stonehaven derailment: an Abellio ScotRail Inter7City HST operating the 06:38 Aberdeen-to-Glasgow Queen Street derailed at Carmont, near Stonehaven following a landslip.

26 August 2020

0

0

Llangennech derailment: a freight train carrying diesel derailed and caught fire at around 23:20. About 100 people living within 800 m of the fire were evacuated from their homes. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

13 March 2021

0

1

Kirkby train crash, Merseyside: A Merseyrail Class 507 overran the buffers at Kirkby Station and derailed. Twelve people suffered minor injuries.

31 October 2021

0

14

2021 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.

24 August 2023

1

1

Nottinghamshire 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 receiving an electric shock. Saville died in hospital five days la

29 September 2023

0

2

Aviemore railway station: 60103 Flying Scotsman collided with stationary carriages at 6:05pm in Aviemore, Scotland, injuring two people.

21 October 2024

1

15

2024 Talerddig train collision: two trains collided head-on near Llanbrynmair, Powys around 900 metres West of Talerddig passing loop, (the former site of the railway station) at around 7:26pm. One person died following the collision and 15 were taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life threatening or life changing, 4 of which were con

22 May 2025

0

6

Leominster: At around 10:37am a Transport for Wales Driving Van Trailer operating the 08:30 Manchester to Cardiff service, struck a loaded agricultural trailer which was being hauled by a tractor across Nordan Farm user worked level crossing. The train was travelling at 80mph and of the 66 passengers and 8 staff on board, 6 passengers were reported

13 July 2025

1

0

Teynham, Kent: A Southeastern service struck an Amazon delivery van on a user worked level crossing at around 12:42pm. The driver of the van was declared dead at the scene, no injuries were reported aboard the train.

2 November 2025

0

4

2025 Shap derailment: an Avanti West Coast train derailed at 06:10 after hitting a landslide in Cumbria, injuring four people