 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2020) |
| Hither Green rail crash | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 5 November 1967 21:16 |
| Location | Hither Green Depot |
| Country | England |
| Line | South Eastern Main Line (BR Southern Region) |
| Cause | Broken rail |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Passengers | full train, some standing passengers |
| Deaths | 49 |
| Injured | 78 |
| List of UK rail accidents by year | |
On 5 November 1967, a busy Sunday evening train service from Hastings to London Charing Cross derailed near the Hither Green maintenance depot in London, between Hither Green and Grove Park railway stations. Of the twelve coaches, many full of standing passengers, eleven were derailed and four turned onto their sides, resulting in 49 fatalities and 78 injuries. It is Britain's sixth worst rail disaster in terms of death toll.
The derailment was found to be due to a broken rail. The Ministry of Transport report criticised the maintenance of the line, especially following a recent increase of the maximum speed of trains over the route. Following the accident the maintenance of the line was improved and plans accelerated for replacing jointed track by continuous welded rail.