Stockport air disaster: Events mark 50th anniversary

PC John Lomas - one of the first people to be on the scene of the Stockport air crash
PC John Lomas - one of the first people to be on the scene of the Stockport air crash

A range of events have been organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stockport air disaster, which took place on Sunday, June 4, 1967.

Members of the public are invited to pay their tributes at a commemorative event at 10am on June 4 at the site of the crash at the junction of Hopes Carr and Waterloo Road.

The event will be introduced by the Bishop of Stockport, Libby Lane, and will include the laying of a floral tribute by the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Linda Holt. Members of the public are also invited to lay their own floral tributes at the memorial.

The event will be followed by a Civic Service at St Mary’s Church at the Marketplace from 12.15pm.

Stockport Council has also organised an exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery entitled ‘Six Miles from Home’ which tells the story of this local tragedy with never before seen artefacts, documents, newspaper articles and photographs. The exhibition will run from Friday 2 June and finish on Sunday 9 July.

Six Miles from Home

A ‘Six Miles from Home’ documentary is also being aired at Stockport Plaza on Saturday, June 10, from 7.30pm.

The documentary made by director Roger Boden and producer Ian Barrie with help from author Steve Morrin, tells the story of events from the perspective of the few survivors still alive and those who helped with the rescue effort.

The air disaster took place when an aircraft returning from Mallorca to Manchester Airport crashed in a small open area at Hopes Carr, Stockport – 72 of the 84 passengers and crew aboard were killed in the accident.

Of the 12 survivors, all were seriously injured. It currently stands as the fourth worst disaster in British aviation history, and the third worst disaster to date to happen on English soil.

Stockport Council leader Alex Ganotis said: “The Stockport air disaster is a very important part of Stockport’s history and is remembered by many.

“It was a tragic event, but also one that pulled our community together as so many people risked their own safety to rescue passengers.

“It is fitting that we should mark the 50th anniversary of the crash with a range of planned events to pay tribute to and remember the casualties, survivors and those who came to help.”

  • Entry to Stockport Art Gallery is free. Its opening hours are Tuesday-Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday/Bank Holidays 11am -5pm. For more information contact 0161 474 4453 or visit www.stockport.gov.uk/artgallery
  • To book tickets to see the Six Miles from Home documentary visit http://stockportplaza.co.uk/

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.