§ 4. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement on the railway accident which occurred at Wormit Station, near Dundee, on the night of Saturday, 28th May, 1955.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe 6.53 p.m. special passenger train from Tayport to Dundee consisted of eight coaches and carried about 600 passengers most of whom were school children.
On emerging from the single-line tunnel at the entrance to Wormit Station at about 7.12 p.m., the engine mounted the platform and overturned. The leading four coaches became derailed outside the tunnel and the first three of them were badly damaged. The remaining coaches stopped in the tunnel, still on the lines.
I regret to say that two passengers—one adult and one child—and the fireman were killed. Forty-one persons were injured, of whom six passengers—five children and one adult—and the driver are still in hospital. I understand that they are all progressing satisfactorily. I am sure that the House would wish to join with me in expressing sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their lives and good wishes for the recovery of the injured.
The rescue operations were organised with promptness and efficiency, and I should like to pay tribute to the 22W inhabitants of Wormit, the local and railway services and to the R.A.F. personnel from Leuchars Airfield who took part in this work.
An inspecting officer of railways visited the site of the accident the following day. He opened the formal inquiry at Dundee on 7th June. The House will appreciate that until I have received his report I cannot make any further statement.