September 1st has been officially declared as the National Day of the Remembrance of the Victims and Survivors of the Kendal Rail Disaster.

This follows a proclamation by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen at the request of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.

The Culture Minister Grange said this proclamation serves to “remember those Jamaicans who lost their lives, those who survived but still bear the marks on their bodies and souls… and those who lost members of their family suddenly on that ill-fated night.”

She further noted that it is a moment to “recall and salute the bravery, sacrifice and commitment of people in nearby communities, volunteers and professional responders from near and far who demonstrated the humane solidarity of the Jamaican people… [by providing] comfort, solace and compassion.”

The Kendal railway tragedy occurred on Sunday, September 1,1957, in Kendal, Manchester. More than 170 Jamaicans lost their lives when a train on which they were travelling derailed its tracks. The train was heading from Kingston to Montego Bay in St James.

Reports are also that between 400 and 700 of the 1,600 passengers on board were maimed or disfigured.

Remembrance services were held in Kingston and Manchester on Sunday.