In 1927, it was common for students to travel to and from Hymers College by train.  Usually a safe and reliable method of transport, on Monday 14 February a tragic sequence of events lead to one of the most horrific train crashes that Hull has ever seen.

What should have been a fail safe signalling system, in place to prevent two trains from meeting head-on on the same track, due to a signaller's error, resulted in the deaths of twelve passengers.  Despite the collision happening at only 12 mph, the consequences were truly dreadful, with rail carriages torn apart, and wood splintering into deadly shards causing horrific injuries to the dead, dying and injured.

The Withernsea train to Hull should have passed the Scarborough train leaving Paragon Station without incident.  Unfortunately, the latter train had been switched on to the wrong track, slamming into the approaching Withernsea train.

The crash remains East Yorkshire's worst rail accident, with the Withernsea train bearing the brunt of the impact.  On that train was 12 year old, Tom Potts (OH 1926-27), a Hymers College student in Form Lower IIIA.  He had only started Hymers College in September, the previous year, and was described as a 'cheerful and lively little boy'.  Unfortunately, six days later, he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the crash.

Also on that train was Geography and Maths teacher, Mr. John Monkhouse 'Dandy' Orwin (OH Staff 1914-33).  He had a most fortunate escape but was left badly bruised with his cheekbone damaged.  He remained off school for the Spring Term, to recover from his injuries.  He died six years later at the age of 51 years.

There were other Hymerians on board, who luckily were not injured.  One unnamed Hymers boy had offered comfort to a student from Hull Technical College, looking for his father who was later found to be deceased.

Author and historian, Richard Jones has researched the tragic accident and is now fundraising for a memorial plaque to name the twelve victims and pay tribute to those who rescued the injured on that terrible day.  Permission has been granted to put a permanent memorial inside Hull Paragon railway station, where not only can the anniversaries be commemorate but the plaque will be under cover and therefore not be subjected to the elements that come with it being outdoors.

The total amount to be raised has now been finalised as £681 and so far we have around £150 of that raised already, so its going good so far!  It is my aim to raise the remaining amount as soon as possible so that the plaque can be unveiled in February 2025 on the 98th anniversary, therefore giving plenty of time for other people to be made aware of it before the centenary, in just over two years’ time.

Right now we are in the fundraising stage, so if there are any ways you can think of to donate, raise money, highlight or obtain grants from anybody then please let me know.

Richard Jones

If you would be interested in donating to the memorial, please contact Richard, either via email at shipwreckdata@yahoo.co.uk or through his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/shipwreck.data.

1927 Hymerian - Report of the Railway Accident