The Severn & Wye Bridge Disaster

The Severn & Wye Railway Bridge built by the Severn Bridge Railway Company in the 1870's to transport coal from the Forest of Dean crossed  the River Severn between Sharpness and Lydney in Gloucestershire.  Construction commenced in 1875 and was completed in 1879. The cast iron single-track  bridge,  4,162 feet (1,269 m) long and 70 feet (21 m) above high water, had 22 spans and had stone abutments made from local limestone. The span across the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal operated as a swing bridge. The rail bridge was never a financial success and following a disaster in 1960 demolision begun in 1967. 

On Monday 25th October 2010 just off the foreshore at Purton, on a fog bound River Severn, two John Harker owned tanker barges, carrying 296 tons of black oil and 351 tons of petroleum spirit respectively, collided with the Severn and Wye Railway  Bridge. The collision and subsequent explosion not only caused irreparable damage to the bridge, bringing down one of the upright columns and two sections of span,  but sadly caused five members of the barges  crew tolose their lives and three others to have their lives changed forever.

Wotton-under-Edge Civic Centre

Friday 28th November 2014 at 7.30pm

Visitors welcome. Non-members £5 on the door