Worst fatal road crash is recalled
Tragedy that killed 33 is subject of film
ANNIVERSARY: It is 45 years today that Britain’s worst fatal road disaster in history occurred on this quiet, unassuming bridge in the Yorkshire Dales.
More than 30 people lost their lives when a coach taking a group from Thornaby-on-Tees to Grassington lost control at Dibble’s Bridge on May 27, 1975, and fell to the river below.
IT IS 45 years today that Britain’s worst fatal road disaster in history occurred on this quiet, unassuming bridge in the Yorkshire Dales.
More than 30 people lost their lives when a coach taking a group from Thornaby-on-Tees to Grassington lost control at Dibble’s Bridge on May 27, 1975, striking the bridge parapet and falling to the river below.
The male bus driver and 32 pensioners on board died – the highest number of fatalities of any collision on Britain’s roads – while only five people survived.
One of them, Margaret Robinson, was 35 at the time and had decided last minute to join the trip with her mother, Eva Rogers, as her children were away at a summer camp at the time.
Ms Robinson was in hospital for three weeks with a broken pelvis while her mother, who was 60 at the time, miraculously escaped with bruises.
“I can still visualise going down the bank thinking, ‘something’s going to happen’ because we were going far too fast,” she said.
“Then everything went black. I can remember lying there and hearing someone saying, ‘Don’t worry – we’re going to get you out’. The next thing I knew I was in hospital.
“I had three children at the time and they were affected by it a lot. I was very lucky.”
A documentary made by filmmaker Derek Smith on the tragedy is to be aired on Saturday, while plans are in place to erect a monument to the 33 killed outside Thornaby-on-Tees Town Hall.
Steve Walmsley, chair of Thornaby-on-Tees Town Council, said that the tragedy had been
“forgotten by many” over time, despite its significance.
Plans were in place to lay a stone in the Teesside town from a quarry near to the scene of the accident, although these have been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are still going to do some kind of commemoration on the anniversary,” said Mr Walmsley.
“A wreath of 33 white roses will be laid at Dibble’s Bridge.
“People have lost knowledge over the years and haven’t really heard of the disaster, but it’s still the worst of its kind in British history.”
Documentary maker Mr Smith said it remained a story close to his heart due to a family friend losing his mother and aunt in the crash.
“The bus was a death trap,” he said.
“It’s a miracle anybody survived. The safety measures we have today are a direct result of Dibble’s Bridge, yet a lot of people don’t know about what happened.”
An inquest into the 1975 incident found that the bus crashed after the driver lost control when failing to negotiate the bend, combined with the vehicle not being fitted with electro-magnetic retardant brakes.
The wider issue raised by the tragedy, along with campaigning from The Yorkshire Post, led to legislation being later passed requiring vehicles to be fitted with improved braking systems.
The site meanwhile has long been known locally as a notorious spot for collisions. Last month, a 66-year-old cyclist died after coming off his bike at the bridge.
Mr Walmsley said: “The signs going down the steep road approaching the bridge are the usual signs you would get on any incline. You wouldn’t know it was the site of such a significant incident.”
The documentary on the Dibble’s Bridge crash will be aired on Saturday at 9pm on Together TV.
Mr Walmsley added: “Those who have watched it previously, including survivors and families of those who lost their lives, were really touched by the empathetic quality of the film as well as unbelievable research.
“It really is so moving and well worth watching for those who were unaware of the enormity of a tragedy that is still very raw for so many Thornabians.”
I can visualise going down the bank – we were going far too fast.
Margaret Robinson, survivor of the Dibble’s Bridge coach crash which killed 33.