A fitting tribute, to the horrific rail disaster that occurred just outside Paragon Train Station on 14 February 1927, can now be seen inside the station. After months of fundraising, author and historian, Richard Jones, who has dedicated his life to forgotten disasters, was able to unveil the memorial plaque, 98 years to the day since the accident happened.

On that fateful day, the Withernsea train to Hull should have passed the Scarborough train, that was leaving Paragon Station.  Unfortunately, the Scarborough train had been switched on to the wrong track, resulting in the collision. The crash remains East Yorkshire's worst rail accident, with the Withernsea train bearing the brunt of the impact. Twelve people lost their lives as a result of the crash, with the majority seated in the front carriage; the front two carriages of both trains concertinaed due to their structure being flimsy wooden carriages in those days.

Author and Historian Richard Jones (centre), with Dame Diana Johnson and Richard Kitching, grandson of one of the victims, Percival Kitching

From the Development Office, Victoria Bastiman, OH 1989-96, attended the unveiling after helping Richard research 12 year old, Tom Potts (OH 1926-27), who died six days later from his injuries. Tommy, was a student in Form Lower IIIA and had only started Hymers College in September, the previous year.  He was described in The Hymerian as a 'cheerful and lively little boy'. Vikki was able to speak to relatives of Tom, or Tommy as he was known, who described him as a 'mischievous boy', and they were able to share a photo of him, attending his older brother, Sydney Pott's wedding.

Tony Escreet, OH 1968-77, grew up with the knowledge that two of his great-uncles lost their lives in the accident.  One of them was Tommy, the brother of Tony's maternal grandfather. The family recall how they were summoned to visit Tommy, while he was in hospital every day, to say goodbye to him, until he died of his awful injuries. Tony's paternal grandfather, Sydney Escreet also lost his brother, Philip Escreet, who was 17 years old. He was on his way to work in Humber Street in the Escreet Fruit and Veg shop.

Chris Bradfield, OH 1960-67 travelled up to Hull for the memorial. His father, Kenneth lived with his family in Withernsea and commuted into Hull by train. Kenneth, who was around 12/13 years old at the time, was travelling to school with his father. He had chosen to sit in the front carriage with a number of other schoolboys.  He was fortunate to survive but was trapped in the wreckage and it was a considerable time before he was cut free.  He sustained a broken leg and crush injuries to that leg and foot.  Sadly, the boy sitting next to him did not survive the accident.  The margin between surviving that accident, and not surviving, was a difference in seating position of less than 3 ft.

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.

Related Articles:

• Remembering the Hull Paragon Railway Accident 1927
• Memorial to mark fatal rail crash 98 years on (External: BBC News)
• New memorial at Hull Paragon station honours victims of historic rail disaster (External: Hull Daily Mail website)

1927 Hymerian - Report of the Railway Accident