The Kendal Train Crash: Jamaica’s Deadliest Rail Disaster


The Kendal, Manchester Railway Disaster of 1957, is one of the most tragic events that has happened in the history of Jamaica. The crash was personally accounted for by my grandfather. He was an engineer that lived in Mandeville, which is under 3 miles away from Kendal. He was on onlooker at the crash site right on the day of the crash — September 1, 1957.

The front page of The Canberra Times, in Australia

The unfortunate aftermath

1958-kendal-crash-memorial

Colonel R. G. Jackson, general manager of the Jamaica Government Railway along with Mrs. Jackson and mourners attending memorial service for the unidentified Kendal train crash victims on Sept. 10

1958-kendal-crash-memorial

Rev Rt Charles Eberle, SJ; Rev Fr Anthony Feeherry, CP and Rev Fr William Whelan CP administering blessings at the memorial service for the unidentified

According to Gary Nieta — there were indeed more gruesome photographs taken of the crash. Those photos have not been seen publically since.


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