Heroes Unsung: The Salisbury Rail Disaster of 1906

In the early hours of July 1st 1906, an express train derailed catastrophically, at the eastern end of Salisbury station.

Twenty eight people died – four railwaymen and twenty four of the train’s forty passengers. Most of the latter were American citizens.

It remains one of the worst disasters in British rail history, but on that night the residents of Salisbury behaved magnificently. Postmen from the Fisherton Street sorting office clambered through lethally dangerous wreckage and began the rescue operations.  Hundreds ran to help. Relays of people improvised stretchers from mail bags and broken spars and ran with the injured, five hundred yards to the Infirmary.

Now, 120 years after the event, Studio Theatre presents a drama documentary account with eyewitness testimony, pictures and sound to bring the event to life.

Running time: 75 Minutes

This event is accessible by stairs or lift.