Singleton Bank rail crash

53.8076°N 2.9500°W / 53.8076; -2.9500

Singleton Bank rail crash
Details
Date	16 July 1961; 64 years ago (1961-07-16)
Location	Weeton, Lancashire
Country	England
Line	Fleetwood Branch Line
Cause	Signaller error; site staff error
Statistics
Trains	2
Deaths	7
Injured	116
List of UK rail accidents by year

The Singleton Bank rail crash occurred on 16 July 1961 near Weeton, Lancashire, England.

Events

The 8:50 diesel multiple unit train from Colne to Fleetwood collided with the rear of a ballast train at about 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). The latter had been working in the vicinity of Singleton Bank signal box and was about to leave to clear the section for the express.

Victims

Seven were killed (the driver and six passengers) and 116 were injured.^[1]

Report

The signalman at Singleton misunderstood a telephone message which led him to make a serious error and accept the diesel train irregularly. The accident report also strongly criticised the local inspectors for allowing poor working practices.^[1]