Memorable night of crash

keeping the body in sight from the ferry as the light faded, rather than wait for the Dover lifeboat to attend, the decision was made to launch one of the ship’s lifeboats and recover the body, which was subsequently collected by the authorities when the vessel had berthed at Dover. David Spencer

I found your article ‘Tragedy strikes the railways’ (July 2) most interesting, especially the bit about the Lewisham crash. On that night my friend Pat and I tried to board that train but the gate closed and we had to await the next one.

Then it was announced no more trains to Hayes and, as we lived in West Wickham, we made our way to Victoria and got off at

East Croydon. From there we walked to West Wickham but due to the pea-souper that night could hardly see the roads and pavements.

I think we got home at midnight only to hear my mother was on the earlier train that crashed and she was in hospital with a broken leg. What a night that was!

Carole Murray

The lifeboat at Walmer - and some residents - enjoyed a moment of fame after featuring on a Pathe newsreel