Durrant Pate/Contributor

The site of Jamaica’s worst train disaster in Kendal, Manchester, in 1957, which claimed almost 200 lives, is to be made a national heritage site.

Culture Minister Olivia Grange made the announcement at the unveiling on Thursday (September 11) of a monument erected in memory of those who perished in the train crash 68 years ago. The monument, which was unveiled by the minister, was the outcome of a memorandum of understanding between the ministry and the Manchester Municipal Corporation. 

The municipal corporation saw to the construction of the monument, which was funded by the ministry. The monument lists the names of the people who died in the train crash which happened on the night of Sunday, September 1, 1957.

There are also plans to establish a park and museum at the site through the Manchester Municipal Corporation. The reasoning behind the move is to have people visit the location and pay homage to those who suffered and died.

Monumentally historic catastrophe

The train, operated by the Jamaica Railway Corporation, was on its way from Montego Bay to Kingston when it separated from the tracks as it approached Kendal. Almost 200 people died, and more than 700 of the 1,600 passengers were maimed or disfigured. 

Many of the victims and survivors of the Kendal Rail Disaster were members of the St Anne’s Roman Catholic Church. They had travelled by train for a pilgrimage to Montego Bay and were returning to Kingston when disaster struck. 

During the last few years, the Government has declared September 1 as National Day of Remembrance of the victims and survivors of the Kendal Rail Disaster, established the monument and is now moving to have the location declared a national heritage site through the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Minister Grange declared, “We will never forget those who died, were injured and scarred for life, those who survived, and a whole nation that mourned when dawn came the following day and news of the incident spread…May the memories of those who lost their lives in the Kendal crash never be forgotten.”

“We created this Day of Remembrance because it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t right that we as a country did not come together to reflect and remember the people involved and affected by this great tragedy, Minister Grange said in conclusion.