[Article] Rail tragedy relatives to mark anniversary

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/6052203?view=Eircomnet

Rail tragedy relatives to mark anniversary
From:ireland.com
Sunday, 31st July, 2005

Relatives of the 11 Irish victims of the 1980 Buttevant rail tragedy will gather tomorrow for the first official memorial to the disaster on its 25th anniversary.

Family members of the dead will light remembrance candles at the special memorial commissioned by Irish Rail.

The five-foot tall bronze-cast structure, which is inscribed with the victims' names, will be unveiled at the accident site.

A total of 18 passengers were killed when the Irish rail express train crashed into a siding at 70mph at the North Cork station.

Local representatives of the three non-national victims - three Britons, two Americans and two Austrians - will also light candles in their memory.

Officials from Cork County Council will also plant 18 roses representing the victims at the scene.

An open-air ecumenical service will be later followed by a reception in the local GAA hall.

The event has been organised by the 12-member Buttevant Disaster Commemorative Committee, which has been tracing relatives of the victims in recent months.

The disaster, which also injured 62, still ranks as the worst modern transport tragedy in Ireland.

Carriages immediately behind the non-stop train's engine jack-knifed and were thrown across four sets of rail-line. Two coaches and the dining car were totally demolished by the impact.

The accident sparked the biggest civil emergency operation in Co Cork's history and led to a massive review of rail safety.

Representatives from the gardai, the Red Cross, the fire services and the Civil Defence have all been invited to tomorrow's event.

PA

Flukey

It is good to see that happening. I remember that accident. It was awful.