A reader has written in to remind us of the Hither Green rail disaster almost exactly fifty years ago on November 5 1967. The accident claimed the lives of 49 passengers, about half of whom came from the Rye area, including several ex-pupils of the then Grammar School. Among the survivors were Molly Hullis who also attended the school, (future wife of Bee Gee Robin Gibb who was with her on the train), and also Mrs Pat Brady, who lived at 1 West Street.
On that day in 1967, a busy Sunday evening train service from Hastings to London, Charing Cross, derailed 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 people injured.
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.
Photo: library image
