Owencarrow viaduct disaster anniversary next Monday

Next Monday, January 30 marks the 98th anniversary of one of the worst rail disasters in the country when part of a passenger train overturned by the wind while crossing the viaduct between Kilmacrennan and Creeslough.

It was the worst accident in the history of the Lough Swilly railway and one that is recalled locally to this very day.

In fact, moves have already begun to commemorate the 100th anniversary in two years' time with the Owencarrow Viaduct Committee and the Creeslough Community Association researching ideas on how best to mark the occasion.

Records show how on the evening of Friday, January 30, 1925, an engine pulling two carriages, one wagon, and a combined van, was travelling on the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (Burtonport Extension), which had been opened in 1903.

The crossing over the Owencarrow viaduct was known to be dangerous in bad weather, which was what was being experienced that evening.

The train approached the viaduct, which was from 400 to 440 yards in length, at a speed of about 10 miles per hour. The 14 passengers had been enjoying the journey, having left Kilmacrenan Station at 7.52pm, running only five minutes late.

The driver had observed nothing unusual as he approached the viaduct - only that it was a very stormy night. When the train was a little more than 60 yards onto the viaduct, there was a great gust of wind, which lifted the carriage next to the engine off the rails.

The driver applied the vacuum brake and stopped the train. When the train came to a halt, the back carriage, which had been lifted off, had carried the wagons halfway over the wall of the bridge. The other carriage was lying over the embankment, the covered wagon was lying over the coping, and the six-wheeled passenger carriage was tumbled upside down.

Gust of wind
The gust of wind had lifted two of the big coaches from the rail and flung them top downwards on the parapet. Their roofs were smashed and by the violence of the impact, passengers were hurled from the carriages into the valley below. The masonry of the parapet gave way beneath the shock and stress, and masses of it thundered down upon the injured passengers.

Despite all this, the engine kept the rails and the couplings held, suspending the upturned coaches across the parapet. Of the 14 passengers, only one was unhurt - a Miss Campbell was flung from the upturned carriage, then deflected from the course followed by the other falling passengers, landing on soft and boggy soil, sinking knee-deep into it.

Sadly however four people were killed: husband and wife Philip and Sarah Boyle, Leabgarrow, Arranmore; Neil Duggan, Meenbunone, Creeslough and Mrs Una Mulligan, Falcarragh.

The injured passengers were an unnamed Boyle boy, son of Philip and Sarah (shock); Mrs Brennan, Dungloe (severe injuries to her head); Mrs McFadden, sister-in-law of Mrs Brennan (shock); Mrs Bella McFadden, Gweedore (shock); Edward McFadden, Magheraroarty (shock and wounded hand) and Denis McFadden, Cashel, Creeslough (severe concussion).

The records also show that the crew on the night were Neil Boyle, train guard; Bob McGuinness, engine driver who had 13 years experience on the Burtonport Extension line and foreman, Con Hannigan.

Other notable individuals on the occasion included James McFadden, Kilfad and Pat McFadden, Terlin. Their bravery was recognized at the inquest, for rescuing two women from a carriage hanging over the edge of the viaduct and Rev Father Burns, CC Doe and the Rev J Doherty, Letterkenny who were early to the scene and attended to the wounded.

Inquest
The inquest on Philip Boyle and Una Mulligan was opened on Saturday, January 31, by the coroner, Dr JP McGinley, at the licensed premises of Mr Bradley, Falcarragh.

Dr McGinley also opened an inquest on Neil Duggan at his residence in Meenbunone.

The inquest on Mrs Boyle was held by the deputy coroner for East Donegal, Dr Walker, at Letterkenny Workhouse. The proceedings consisted of the formal identification of those killed in the train crash.

The inquest was then adjourned until the following Friday, February 6, at Creeslough.

At the conclusion of the inquest, the jury found that death in every case was due to the injuries received. They added, as a rider, their unanimous opinion that if a properly constructed rail had been carried along the whole length of the viaduct, from cutting to cutting, and without an intervening gap, no lives would have been lost. They were also of the opinion that the driver, fireman, and guard were not in any way to blame.

A commemorative plaque was erected near the site in 2021 thanks to promotion locally by a number of people including the late Ben McFadden who sadly passed away last year.

Back locally a small commemorative event will be held this coming Monday, January 30 with members of the Owencarrow Viaduct Committee and the Creeslough Community Association joining to mark the anniversary.