Four railway workers killed by passing train coming round bend

On the first Monday in September 1871 a gang of twenty platelayers and labourers were engaged in repairing a stretch of track half a mile from Scorton station on the Lancaster & Preston Junction Railway, opened in 1840, which was linked to the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway.

- with Keith Johnson

They were aware they had to keep their wits about them as a pretty sharp curve was ahead of where they were working. Shortly after nine o'clock that morning a large goods train came up, and all the men got out of the way, some stepping off the line altogether, and others stepping on to the other line.

Unfortunately, as the goods train was passing a passenger train came around the curve heading towards Preston. The driver of the passenger train saw the danger ahead and whistled as soon as he saw the men some eighty yards ahead.

He immediately shut off the steam but could not bring the engine to a standstill before he was upon them. Several of the men had heard his whistle and jumped clear but others seemed oblivious to the danger. Despite the cries of alarm from their workmates four of the men did not shift and the passenger train ran over them.