The Kendal Crash was a train accident that occurred on Sunday, September 1, 1957 in Jamaica. It was the worst rail disaster in Jamaica’s history and the second worst rail disaster in the world at that time. The train was carrying about 1,600 passengers, mostly members of the Holy Name Society of the St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in Kingston. According to research done by kareemsquest.com, the journey started in Kingston, where the church members headed to Montego Bay for an all-day excursion. On its return leg, the train was traveling at about 40 mph when it derailed and crashed into a hillside in Kendal, Manchester. The accident claimed the lives of 175 people and injured over 800 others.
First-hand account of the accident
“A lot of people get the time wrong, it happened in the early morning and the moon was bright,” Ma’as George, an 89-year-old resident and witness, told kareemsquest.com
Why did the accident occur?
The cause of the crash was determined to be a combination of factors, including the train’s speed, the condition of the tracks, and the failure of the brakes. The train’s brakes were not properly maintained, and the tracks were in poor condition.
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This combination of factors led to the train derailing and crashing. In the video below, Ma’as George, an 89-year-old resident and witness, told kareemsquest.com that the train was over packed. Folklore also has it that the brakes may have been vandalised, however we found no hard evidence to corroborate this.
Video of the Week
“Some persons limbs were all over the place and others were screaming for help. The ground was covered with blood. ” Ma’as George, recollected to kareemsquest.com
The Aftermath
Many persons were later buried in a mass grave near the crash site, which kareemsquest.com shows in the video below. The Friday of that week (September 8, 1957) was observed as a National Day of Mourning as world leaders sent messages of condolence and sympathy to the Jamaican people.
The Kendal train crash was a tragedy that had a profound impact on Jamaica. The loss of life was devastating, and the injuries caused by the crash left many people with lifelong disabilities. The crash also led to a number of safety improvements on the Jamaica Railway, including the installation of automatic train protection systems.
Write in the comment section if you remember or know anything about the Kendal crash.
Sources:
https://www.thegleanerlibrary.com
https://gleaner.newspaperarchive.com
eMail: library@gleanerjm.com, 876-932-6231
I was supposed to go to MoBay on that train along with my sister Judith Ann Roche. That morning my mommy who never to us no said I don’t want you to go! All my friends from Alpha Convent of Mercy, Academy were going plus a couple we liked. But I listened and agreed because my mommy was so concerned. That day the train derailed and my friends the couple died in each other’s arms. I t was so shocking and sad. I never took a train ride in Jamaica again. Paula Roche Reilly
I was supposed to go to MoBay on that train along with my sister Judith Ann Roche. That morning my mommy who never to us no said I don’t want you to go! All my friends from Alpha Convent of Mercy, Academy were going plus a couple we liked. But I listened and agreed because my mommy was so concerned. That day the train derailed and my friends the couple died in each other’s arms. I t was so shocking and sad. I never took a train ride in Jamaica again. Paula Roche Reilly