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Observer calls for memorial to rail crash victims

The Sutton Coldfield Observer has launched a campaign to remember the victims of a rail crash at Sutton station 50 years ago.

Eighteen people died when a York-to-Bristol express which had been diverted through Sutton was derailed, in January 1955 – but there is no lasting memorial to the tragedy.

And when Observer news editor Ben Bentley began to put together a feature about the accident which shook Sutton Coldfield, he found some people didn’t even know what had happened.

Now the weekly paper has launched a campaign for a memorial plaque at Sutton sation, the scene of the tragedy.

The Time To Remember campaign is also calling for a memorial service to be staged to remember the dead and honour those who took part in the rescue operation.

Observer editor Gary Phelps said: “It seems wrong that there is no memorial in the town to those who lost their lives in this terrible crash, or to remember the efforts of those who rushed to help.

“We simply want to put that right – to work with the rail authorities and local groups to find the right location and memorial to remember the crash in the correct way.”

To coincide with the 50th anniversary of the rail crash, and the launch of the campaign, news editor Ben took Ben Gee, a cutting engineer who worked through the night to free the deceased, back to the scene of the crash.

Many more of those who helped free passengers, or by donating blood or serving tea to the walking wounded, have also contacted the paper to tell their memories and give their support.