Four women and three children were killed in a horrific coach accident in Blockley on 5th August 1924
ONE hundred years on since a bus crash killed seven in the village of Blockley, the tragedy still resonates with residents today.
The horrific details of 5th August 1924 were recorded in great detail in the Stratford Herald and Evesham Journal, some of which is repeated verbatim here.
A party of 11 mothers and nine children had been enjoying a visit ten miles away to Stanton, where Blockley Girl Guides had been on a camp-out on the estate of Sir Philip Stott.
The vehicle was a one-ton Ford lorry more commonly referred to as a char-a-banc (‘a carriage with benches’). At 2.30pm on that fateful Tuesday afternoon the char-a-banc set out on its journey.
It was driven by Dennis Rouse, 21, of High Street, Blockley, who was described as being “a most careful and competent man of perfectly sober habits”.
After their enjoyable visit, the party were due back in Blockley around 5.30pm. The return journey went well until the char-a-banc turned from the main road from Evesham to Moreton-in-Marsh by Holt Road and descended the long hill, then known as Greenaway Road (now Greenway).
As is well known locally, Blockley lies almost in a cup-shaped valley, and the descent taken on the tragic journey is the steepest.
Apparently the worst part of the road was taken in safety, but it was but a matter of seconds before the char-a-banc began travelling at an alarming rate and rocking in a terrible manner. At the bottom of the hill was the garden of the house of Dr Jacobs, with a wall 16 feet high and a sharp turn to the right and an equally sharp turn to the left to Broad Campden.
For nearly a mile the coach continued its mad career down the hill to the accompaniment of screams by the women, and, for part of the way, by the laughter of the children, who were unable to appreciate their danger and were amused at what appeared to be to them a novel adventure. At the corner, driver Dennis apparently attempted to keep the coach to the road, but the speed was too much, and after striking the side of the road and the wall it overturned on to its side, crushing its occupants against the wall.
The seriousness of the accident was rapidly appreciated by those who hastened to the tragic site and help was quickly forthcoming from all quarters. Dr Jacobs was at home and was on the spot immediately, the injured being placed on blankets and pillows on the gravel, while first aid was rendered to them.
Cars were quickly sent from Northwick Park, home to Lady Edward Spencer Churchill, who had four years experience of wartime nursing, and her husband, Captain Churchill. They rendered all the assistance they could and motored some of the injured to Moreton Hospital.
It was found, alas, that four of the occupants had been killed outright. They were: Mrs George Figgures (66), Lower street; Mrs Frank Hopes (39), Park-road, and her son Bernard John Hopes (3); and Mrs W Smith (36) Landgate Cottages. Upon arrival at Moreton Hospital it was found that Harry Smith (five), her son was dead.
More deaths followed overnight in the hospital, including: Doris Hancock (16), Mount Pleasant; and Miss Evelyn Green (25), Cheapside, Birmingham.
All the other passengers, bar two who escaped unhurt, were also injured, some seriously.
John Taylor, an old man who walked with the assistance of crutches, was the only eye witness who was actually on the spot. He said: “I heard the noise of a heavy motor travelling fast, and women and children screaming. I saw the char-a-banc tearing down the hill and rocking from side to side. The driver still gripped his wheel, and I glimpsed his white, set face. It appeared that he made an attempt to take the corner, but the vehicle shot across the road and smashed head on. The rear part rose into the air, and the occupants were all crushed to the wall. Then it fell back into the road, and I shall never forget the awful sight. They were all piled one on the other, with blood everywhere, and I shouted for help.
“Earlier in the day I had seen them all start off so happy and gay, and never thought to see their enjoyment end in such tragedy.”
The deceased, bar the young lady from Birmingham, were buried in Blockley cemetery in a public funeral on 9th August.
A coroner’s inquest the day before, held at Northwick Park, concluded that a mechanical failure had caused the crash, exonerating driver Dennis.
All did not end well for poor Dennis though. As a result of the accident a metal plate had to be surgically inserted into his skull. As a result his pituitary gland became over stimulated causing him to continue to grow.
He died prematurely on 8th November 1950 aged 47 and over 7ft tall.
Such was the magnitude of the crash, the people of Blockley, many of whom are related to those whose lives were tragically cut short, still recall the loss and heartache felt by the village.
To that end a commemorative plaque was erected in 2022 at the bottom of Greenway Road.
