Clapham Junction, Basingstoke

Clapham train crash On 12 December 1988 the 07:18 from Basingstoke to London Waterloo was approaching Clapham Junction when the driver saw the signal ahead of him change from green proceed to red danger. Unable to stop at the signal, he stopped his train at the next signal and then reported to the signal box by telephone. He was told there was nothing wrong with the signal. At this point the following train collided with the Basingstoke train. A third train, carrying no passengers was passing on the adjacent line in the other direction and hit the wreckage. The driver of a fourth train, coasting with no traction current, saw the other trains and managed to a stop. Thirty five people died and nearly five hundred were injured in the accident. Our Picture Shows: Firemen and engineers from network rail cutting through the wreckage of one of the three trains involved in the collision searching for survivors