Air disaster memorial
HUNDREDS of people gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stockport Air Crash, which claimed 72 lives.
The disaster happened on June 4, 1967, and on Sunday crowds gathered at Hopes Carr - where the plane came down - to pay their respects.
Bishop of Stockport Libby Lane introduced the service and gave a tribute to those who lost their lives. Mayor Linda Holt also read out a moving poem entitled ‘Remember Me’ before laying a floral tribute.
Many others laid flowers at the newly refurbished memorial site.
Deputy council leader Wendy Wild said: “The commemorative event was a wonderful tribute to the lives lost on that tragic day 50 years ago.
“It was truly touching to see how many people turned up to mark this important occasion in Stockport’s history by laying flowers and sharing their stories.”
The air disaster took place when an aircraft returning from Palma de Mallorca to Manchester Airport crashed in a small open area at Hopes Carr, in the town centre.
Of the 84 passengers and crew aboard only 12 survived and all were seriously injured.
It currently stands as the fourth worst disaster in British aviation history, and the third worst disaster to date to happen on English soil.
Among those to attend the service was David Booth, 73, of Heaton Chapel. He was a police traffic officer who helped deal with the crash’s aftermath and escorted the plane’s broken fuselage from Hopes Carr so it could be examined by the RAF.
David said: “The service was well attended and very calm and reflective with tributes paid. It captured the spirit of the occasion very well.
“At the time of the service I am convinced a two-piston engined aircraft, very similar to the one that went down, flew overhead. That seemed somehow fitting.”
To continue the commemoration, the council has also organised an exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery entitled Six Miles from Home, with never before seen artefacts, documents, newspaper articles and photographs until July 9.
And the Six Miles from Home documentary, made by Roger Boden, Ian Barrie and Steve Morrin, will be shown at Stockport Plaza on Saturday from 7.30pm.
For tickets visit stockportplaza.co.uk.