February 28 - Moorgate Tube Crash

This Day in History: 28 February 2020

 

28 February 1975

 

45 years ago, today, the Moorgate tube crash occurred, resulting in the deaths of 43 people, with 74 other injuries. This was the worst peacetime accident on the London Underground. A southbound Northern City Line train from Drayton Park had failed to stop at the platform, and so drove into the concrete wall at the end of the tunnel at Moorgate station. When rescuers had eventually reached the platform, they discovered the front three carriages had been crushed together, and the station was engulfed in darkness. A six-day rescue operation followed, that involved 1,324 firefighters, 240 police officers, 80 ambulance workers, 16 doctors and many volunteers.

 

One of the firefighters on the scene was Steve Gleeson, who commented on having to immediately take their gear down to platform level, as firefighters were guiding casualties who were covered in dust and grime. They also found a carriage that was half at the platform and half into the tunnel, but on a slant, so it was up into the ceiling. The rest of the crew worked bravely through the dark and dusty tunnel, that was illuminated by old box lamps. Temperatures also reached 33°C, and the firefighters had to make sure to avoid heat exhaustion. The cause of the accident still remains a mystery, but a 10mph speed limit was introduced on all trains entering passenger locations.

 

Want to find out more about the tragedy of the Moorgate tube crash? Click here for more information, or here for a video.