OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
PLEASE NOTE : IMPORTANT MESSAGE : Please be aware that I do not sell copies of ANY of my pictures, DO NOT email copies to viewers or allow re-posting on other sites. Neither do I wish to enter into correspondence with any individual or group regarding my pictures or their captions. All comments reflect my personal opinions and I am not prepared to discuss these with anyone. I apologise for this disclaimer but I'm afraid it has been forced upon me. I have no wish to upset anyone and please continue to enjoy my pictures at your leisure.
EAST CROYDON - On January 15th, 1982, as the 2318 mail and parcels train from Brighton to London Bridge was standing at Platform 1 at East Croydon while station duties were carried out, it was run into violently at the rear by the 00.22 Three Bridges to New Cross Gate Civil Engineers Departmental freight train, hauled by 73115, which had passed a signal at danger. The rear three vans of the mail and parcels train were derailed and severely damaged as were the locomotive and the first 5 vehicles of the engineer's train. The platform canopy and coping stones were damaged in the area of the collision. The driver of the engineer's train was trapped in the wreckage of the locomotive cab until 0845 when, despite strenuous efforts on the part of the Fire Brigade, part of one leg had to be amputated in order to release him. The guard of the engineer's train, a member of the platform staff, and 6 Post Office employees attending the mail train suffered slight injuries.