Knottingley Bus Crash

One of the worst road accidents in the district for many years occurred at Knottingley late on Saturday night and caused the deaths of eight members of the Royal Air force, and serious injury to a number of others.

Two R.A.F. motor-buses, which were returning to their station after a recreational outing at Pontefract for the staffs, were passing through Knottingley when the rear vehicle failed to take the corner near the Town Hall. It crashed into the vicarage wall, a great part of which was knocked down, and overturned. Most of the occupants were injured and five were dead when extricated. Three others died in the Pontefract General Infirmary.

Members of the local Civil Defence Casualty Services, which include the First- Aid Post, and Ambulance and First Aid Parties (under Dr. E. Murphy) along with Police, soldiers, and members of the public, were quickly on the scene and rescue work was carried out by means of torches and storm lanterns. The emergency door at the rear of the bus was forced open and the injured and the dead were gradually removed. Other help was also given by the members of the Civil Defence Services of Pontefract. and the injured men were all treated at the Knottingley First Aid Post before being taken to the Pontefract and General Infirmary where 26 were admitted. Only four of the occupants of the bus escaped injury, including the driver, but three who were slightly injured were allowed to return to their station.