50yrs ago

[Spectrum]

Today fifty years ago the worst road accident in Britain's history occurred in Yorkshire at a place called "Devils Bridge" near the town of "Thornaby" 32 dead 17 badly injured, when the coach they were traveling on, started the long decent to the bridge which is on a ninety degree bend, its brakes failed and it gained speed and went through the parapet and and fell twenty feet to the ground in doing so it turned upside down trapping and killing most of the passengers, all women apart from the driver. I Remember it well as I was at training school at Keighley at the time and we was all put on standby should we be needed, we wasn't.

[exile]

As I understand it the accident was between Grassington and Pateley Bridge and nowhere near Thornaby which is on the Tees. However the coach trip was from Thornaby. A dreadful accident at a place that has continued to take the lives of those unable to control their descent - mainly cyclists I understand.

[ajm]

As I understand it the accident was between Grassington and Pateley Bridge and nowhere near Thornaby which is on the Tees. However the coach trip was from Thornaby. A dreadful accident at a place that has continued to take the lives of those unable to control their descent - mainly cyclists I understand.

Correct location

[Spectrum]

Sorry got their town of departure mixed, the bridges correct name is "Dibbles Bridge" on the B6265 as said between Grassington & Pateley Bridge, it was the second multiple fatality accident 50yrs before 7 lost their lives, June 1925, same type of accident.