St John's community marks Lewisham rail crash of 1957
Residents gathered for music, poetry and speeches, and a heritage plaque was installed at the site of the crash.
Vicky Foxcroft MP joined councillors and residents of St John's on 19 September to commemorate those who died or were injured, and all those who joined the rescue effort at the Lewisham rail crash of 4 December 1957.
Deptford Community Choir sang, directed by Dave Cotterill and the many local representatives included Tony Redding, author of Remembering the St John’s Rail Disaster, Lewisham.
The collision between two packed commuter trains happened on a Wednesday evening under a railway bridge next to St John's station, in conditions of dense fog.
An electric train to Hayes stopped at a signal, while the following steam train to Ramsgate crashed into it, destroying a carriage and the pier of the railway bridge which then collapsed, destroying two coaches.
90 people died and over 100 were seriously injured, while local emergency services, voluntary services and residents rushed to help.
1. Deptford Community Choir, 2. Litsa Breingan. Stephen Penfold, Vicky Foxcroft MP and Sean Coughlan. 3. Residents listen to speakers. Image: Litsa Breingan
Litsa Breingan, a local piano teacher and former chair of the St John's Society, began the project to install a plaque around five years ago, applying to Lewisham Heritage to join the scheme.
Sean Coughlan and Stephen Penfold (then a councillor) later joined her to help carry the project through.
The ceremony ended with trumpeter Josie Ashdown playing a solo Ashoken Farewell.
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