Claremorris Train Crash: September 1989

Photos taken by Garda Frank Kelly Ballinrobe at the site of a train crash near Claremorris in 1989.

On Sunday 24th April 1989 a train carrying 495 Dublin pilgrims on their way to Knock Shrine was derailed at Ballygowan, about a mile from Claremorris when it ran into a herd of cattle. The last seven carriages of the train completely toppled over, some into a 15 foot dyke. Seven cattle lay dead close to the train. The train travelling at 50-70 mph had collided with these animals. “The train braked to stop and then if just began to fall over slowly and deliberately … gradually turning over completely with people just piled on top of each other” according to passengers.

MWR FM Radio broadcast an urgent appeal at 12.20pm for Doctors and Nurses. The Mayo Major Accident Emergency Plan (jointly co-ordinated by Mayo County Council, the Western Health Board, and the Gardaí) was immediately activated. Within about 10 minutes of the accident the first of the ambulances began to arrive. Emergency response workers climbed on top of the carriages and jumped in through open windows and doors to assess the situation and injured people. Those passengers who were unhurt came to the assistance of the emergency responders. The site of the crash was a half mile in from the public road so fields had to be cleared to make temporary roads for the emergency vehicles to access the site.

Over 25 ambulances ferried the injured to County Hospital Castlebar, Merlin Park Hospital Galway, some to Knock rest and care centre and some to University/Regional Hospital Galway. Everyone had been evacuated from the carriages in just under an hour and a half. About 80 people were injured with 8 remaining in hospital in the days after the crash.

Joe Tiernan of Ballinrobe Order of Malta unit (photo 20. & 21.), was one of the many volunteers who brought injured people to the County Hospital, Castlebar. The Ballinrobe Gardaí including Garda Con Nolan (photo 12.) also assisted in the response.

The Asahi plant in Killala manufactured acrylic fibre from acrylonitrile which was transported to Ballina railway station by rail from Dublin Port. The remainder of the journey was completed by road. Because of this nightly chemical transport a Mayo Major Accident Emergency Plan had been put in place. The plan was activated as a trial run in the Claremorris area some months before the September train crash. The Emergency response to the pilgrim train crash was the Plans first test in a real emergency situation. The plan passed this test with flying colours.

As this chemical laden train used the same line as the Knock pilgrimage train, many wondered what would happen if the train bound for Asahi had collided with these cattle. CIE/Iarnrod Eireann discounted suggestions that a collision like this would derail the Asahi train as this train travels at a maximum speed of 35 mph and this decreased speed would ensure that the train stayed on the line. The chemical tanks on the train were also designed to withstand such an impact.

Details from:

• Western People Newspaper Sept 27 1989 in a report by Ballinrobe man Liam Horan. Front page summary with detailed report & photos on page 19.

• Connaught Telegraph, Wednesday, Sept 27, 1989, page 9

• Connacht Tribune, Fri, Sept 9, 1989, page 27

• RTE News archives, News Report dated Sept 24 1989

https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/21359308-claremorris-train-crash/

• Report shows dead cows and overturned train.
• Interview with Garda Michael Doyle who arrived on scene shortly after the accident.
• Rescue workers at scene.
• Interview with Gerry Higgins, Red Cross worker.
• Interview with hospital official.
• The reporter is Charlie Bird.