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Details of the Railway Fatal Accident

LocationHopton Tunnel, nr Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England
DateSaturday, 24th July 1880
Railway CompanyLondon & North Western Railway (Cromford and High Peak Railway)
No. of fatalities3
Cause of accidentTunnel roof collapse
DescriptionDuring construction of the line, the roof was blasted to remove stone so that it could be bricked over in an arch. A large piece of rock fell and killed the three workers.

Sources/Further Reading

  • High Peak News, 26th July 1880

List of Fatalities

3 of the 3 fatalities have been identified so far. They are listed in the table below together with brief notes on any other information that has been found.

The last column shows the General Register Office (England and Wales), Statutory Register (Scotland), General Register Northern Ireland or Civil Registration for Ireland reference where this has been identified (this reference can be used to order a copy of the official death certificate).

Surname First Name Age Occupation Residence Notes GRO/SR/GRONI/GROIE Ref.
GOULD John 42 Railway labourer Wirksworth Left pregnant wife and children. Brother of Peter GOULD 1880/Sep Ashborne 7b 397
HALLOWS Joseph 38 Railway labourer Middleton Left pregnant wife and 8 children. Brother in law of Peter. 1880/Sep Ashborne 7b 397
SWINDELL Isaac 50 Railway labourer Brasssington Left wife and 5 children. 1880/Sep Ashborne 7b 397