5 Unstoppable train caused bridge to collapse
The Lewisham rail crash occurred on the Lewisham by-pass line in London at about 6:20pm on December 4, 1957. In dense fog, an electric train to Hayes stopped at a signal under a bridge and the following steam train to Ramsgate crashed into it, with the collision causing the bridge to collapse onto the steam train. There were 90 fatalities and 109 people were detained in the hospital. The bridge had to be cleared away and it was over a week before the lines under the bridge were reopened, and another month before the bridge was rebuilt and traffic was allowed over it.
The driver of the Ramsgate train was acquitted of manslaughter charges after two trials. The Ministry of Transport report found that he had failed to slow after passing two caution signals so he was unable to stop at the danger signal, concluding that an automatic warning system would have prevented the collision
