Memorial to mark fatal rail crash 98 years on

A plaque is to be installed at Hull railway station to remember the victims of a rail crash nearly a century ago.

Twelve people were killed and 46 injured when two trains crashed head-on just outside the station on 14 February 1927.

Several of the casualties were schoolchildren.

Richard Kitching, the grandson of one of the victims, Percival Kitching, will unveil the plaque at Hull Paragon Station on the day of this month's anniversary.

Mr Kitching said his father, who usually sat at the front of the train, had a lucky escape.

"On this particular day, my father asked if he could go sit with his pals at the back of the train," he said.

"My grandfather said that was absolutely fine, so he did and that ultimately saved his life.

"When the two trains collided under Argyll Street bridge outside Paragon Station, the front two carriages of both trains concertinaed because they were flimsy wooden coaches in those days. Most of the people in those front carriages were killed. "

The crash happened near where Hull Royal Infirmary now stands.

An inquiry concluded that human error resulted a train heading into Hull from Withernsea being on the same track as one which had just left the station for Scarborough.

A plaque was put up at the site of the disaster but was later stolen. A second plaque was unveiled outside the hospital in 2012, but that has since been removed.

The third commemorative plaque has been organised by Bridlington-based historian Richard Jones, who said it was East Yorkshire's worst rail crash.

"A lot of people didn't even know this had happened. It's still very much forgotten about," he said.

"I think this memorial will really open people's eyes to what went on here 98 years ago."

The plaque is due to be unveiled next to the Philip Larkin statue at the station in a ceremony on 14 February at 09:10 GMT, the time of the crash 98 years ago.

Mr Jones said relatives of people involved in the disaster were invited to attend the ceremony.

"I've managed to track down three lots of families of the 12 victims. I'm hoping many more people will realise their family was there as well and will come along," he said.

Station manager Ben Courtney, of TransPennine Express, said: "As part of the community of Hull, we felt it was important to commemorate this tragedy so the victims are not forgotten.

"This memorial also serves as a significant reminder of Hull's railway heritage and history, which now holds a prominent place at the station.

I'd like to express my gratitude to Richard for his efforts in campaigning for this memorial and bringing it to our attention."

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