Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion : Foldout

Accident at Low Moor Iron Company, Norwood Green [1864]

On Wednesday, 1st June 1864, several people were killed on a tram way at the Low Moor Iron Company.

At Storr Hill, Wyke, a stationary engine of 20 hp raised and lowered trains of waggons to and from various pits belonging to the company.

Around 6:20 am in the morning, about 50 colliers employed at the pits between Wyke and Clifton entered the carriages at the top of the Storr Hill incline to start their shift. The train descended the incline with frightful velocity, the brakes being utterly powerless to arrest it in its course. Some of the carriages ran off the line, some were overturned and broken.

The casualties included

Joshua Williamson, a collier who was entering the tram road from Wyke Lane, was knocked down and crushed to death
John Dawson [9] lived only 4 hours after the accident
Isaac Tordoff, alias Kellett [a boy residing at Pothouses] died later
Edward Bancroft [12]
Edwin Briggs [13]
Harrison Bywater [a boy residing at New Road Siddal]
Two young men named Greenhough
Edward Kellett [18]
James Kellett [44]
William Overend [45] of Wibsey
Edward Padgett [14]
Edward Smith [a boy residing at Low Moor]
William Speight [28]

The accident was supposed to have been caused by the negligence of Herbert Barmby, the guard. Barmby was committed for trial at the Leeds Assizes, and sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment

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