A memorial to lives lost in a major rail disaster is now in place – thanks to campaigning by the News Shopper weekly newspaper.

Despite the 45th anniversary of the tragedy having come and gone there was still no lasting memorial to the 90 victims and 145 survivors of a tragic night in December 1957.

But after the News Shopper called for a lasting memorial, a plaque was unveiled at Lewisham station, in London.

More than 120 people attended the memorial service for the victims of the Lewisham Train Disaster.

The disaster happened in thick fog when a train went through a red signal and ran into the back of another stationary engine between St John’s Wood and Lewisham station. The impact itself was devastating but then carriages knocked out bridge supports and tons of metal and concrete entombed passengers in the wreckage below.

MP Bridget Prentice said: “I am very pleased the News Shopper has taken this on as it is an important way of remembering the people who died in this tragic crash.

“It is a very fitting way of commemorating them and the sacrifices they made.”

News Shopper editor Andrew Parkes said: “I was surprised that nothing was already in place to commemorate the victims, 45 years is a long time to wait.

“I think this is a perfect example of what a community newspaper should be getting involved in. Now the thousands of people passing through this station will see a lasting memorial to the victims.”

A religious service was followed by the dedication of the plaque to the memory of those who died.

It was unveiled by former train driver Don Corke, whose train screeched to a halt just yards from the carnage after the crash.

He said: “It was not commemorated at the time but if it happened in this day and age it probably would be.

“We were on the edge of the bridge, another few yards and a lot of people on my train would have died.

“I won’t hear of being called a hero, I was a train driver and I just did my job.

“I know a lot of lives were saved by me but I was just in the right place at the right time.”

As well as editor Andrew Parkes and Mrs Prentice, MP Joan Ruddock, Lewisham mayor Steve Bullock, the borough’s police commander Chief Superintendent Archie Torrance and borough fire chief Dave Smith were at the ceremony.

Mrs Ruddock said afterwards: “One lady walked up to Don Corke and said ‘thank you for saving my life’.

“That was the first chance she had to say that, 45 years on. That is symbolic of what News Shopper is trying to do here.

“When a tragedy is in living memory it should be commemorated, and I am glad to be here.”

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