| Greenock rail crash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | 25 June 1994 23:00 |
| Location | nearDrumfrochar railway station,Greenock |
| Country | Scotland |
| Line | Inverclyde Line (Strathclyde Passenger Transport) |
| Operator | ScotRail |
| Cause | Vandalism |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 1 |
| Passengers | 4 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Deaths | 2 |
| List of UK rail accidents by year | |
On 25 June 1994, the 22:45 fromWemyss Bay toGlasgow, inScotland,[1] derailed and smashed into a bridge after hittingconcrete blocks placed deliberately on the railway byvandals outside of whereDrumfrochar railway station would be opened 4 years later.[2][3]
The train involved was a refurbishedClass 303Electric Multiple Unit.[2] The concrete blocks were cable-trough covers, which were placed across the rails of the single-track line by two vandals who had climbed down to the railway to urinate on their way home.[4] The railway at this point is on a curve, going to the right as the train was travelling.
The leadingbogie of the EMU derailed and the train immediately collided with the solid structure of the overbridge,[5] crushing the driver's cab, killing driver Arthur McKee, 35, and also killing passenger Alan Nicol, 21, who was seated immediately behind the cab, with his back to the partition.[6] Alan Nicol had taken this location to reduce the risk of injury from broken glass should the train be stoned by vandals, which was a common occurrence in that area. Including the two trainstaff, the train was carrying six people.[7]
Following the tragedy, many youths in the surrounding area were questioned by police regarding the incident.[6] After a trial by the High Court, Gary Dougan and Craig Houston, two 17-year-olds fromGreenock were eachimprisoned for 15 years forculpable homicide.[8] Dougan and Houston launched an appeal against their convictions two years later. In September 1996, the Court of Appeal inEdinburgh upheld both convictions.[9]
55°56′28″N4°46′25″W / 55.94105°N 4.77365°W /55.94105; -4.77365
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‡ indicates railway accidents and incidents resulting in at least 20 fatalities § indicates the deadliest railway accident in British history 1815–1899   2000–present | |
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