William Huskisson was a British statesman, financier, and Member of Parliament.
The tragic incident occurred during the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway on 15 September 1830.
The Duke of Wellington’s train being prepared for departure from Liverpool to Manchester, 15 September 1830.
Among them was William Huskisson.
At the age of sixty, Huskisson was well past his prime.
He had twice broken his arm and never fully recovered the use of it.
But Huskisson chose to ignore this advice, believing the opening event was too important to cancel.
The Duke’s train was the only one to run on the southern track.
The other seven trains ran on the northern track in procession.
This was to ensure the Duke would not be delayed should any of the other trains encounter problems.
The duke reciprocated and reached out of the carriage to shook Huskissons hand.
Some of the passengers stepped over the northern line and completely out of the way.
Others stood with their backs pressed against the coaches of the stationary train.
For God’s sake, Mr Huskisson, be firm, shouted one of the passengers.
He tried to clamber back into the Dukes carriage by grabbing at the door of the carriage.
Parkside railway station where the accident occurred.
TheRocketran over his leg, shattering it in the most horrific way.
The crowds lining the route, unaware of what had happened, cheered and waved asNorthumbrianrushed past.
Thomas Blackburne, where he was attended to by doctors.
Huskisson died later that night.
The locomotive that killed William Huskisson, Rocket at Science Museum, London.
According to Weatherill, amputation would have stemmed the blood loss and saved Huskissons life.
Although William Huskisson is often reported as the first railway fatality, this is untrue.
At least two people were killed on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway prior to its opening to the public.
Huskisson was buried at St James Cemetery in Liverpool.
This statue now stands in Pimlico Gardens in London.
Another statue of him stands at the Chichester Cathedral.
Huskissons memorial at St James Cemetery in Liverpool.
Photo:tomjkelly/Flickr
Statue of William Huskisson by John Gibson in Pimlico Gardens, London.
Photo:James Gray/Wikimedia Commons
