On Sunday, 8 January, 1989, 47 people lost their lives on a routine flight from London to Belfast which crashed near Kegworth in Leicestershire.
British Midland Flight 92 experienced problems shortly after take-off from Heathrow when the left engine malfunctioned. The plane and its 118 passengers were redirected to East Midlands Airport for an emergency landing.
As they neared the new destination, the brand new aircraft lost all power, the pilots having mistakenly switched off the right engine, and were forced to try to glide onto the runway. They would later be praised for avoiding Kegworth village but were unable to reach the airport.
The plane's tail hit the ground just before the M1, sending it over the road before crashing on the embankment on the other side.
Emergency services had been on standby at the airport and were quickly on the scene of the accident which happened at 8.26pm. Survivors were given medical treatment at the scene and taken to local hospitals.
But sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, 39 people died at the scene and another eight in hospital later. Another 74 were seriously injured.
The village of Kegworth remembers the victims, including Patricia Irwin ,and her 15-year-old son Peter , in a memorial garden opened a year after the disaster for "those who died, those who were injured and those who took part in the rescue operation". Flowers are planted in earth recovered from the crash site and a plaque bears the names of all 47 who died.
The legacy of Kegworth included a raft of improvements to aircraft safety and procedure to avoid another crash in avoidable circumstances - and to ensure that such tragic levels of fatalities and injuries were not seen again.
Full list of the Kegworth air crash victims
Helen Claire Barker , Jean Burrows , Rodney Robert Burrows , John Thomas Campbell , Karin Jacqueline Campbell , John Joseph (Sean) Campbell , Ann Elizabeth Chilvers , Brian Leslie Chilvers , Thomas Barry Copestake , John Coward , Marja Helena Desmond , Sarah Evelyn Dougherty , Alec Norman Dowling , Bernard Joseph Ferguson , Brian Ferguson , David Gerard Glackin , Matilda Taggart Gordon , Walter Gordon , David Hastings , Timothy John Hicks , Peter Charles Anthony Hynds , Patricia Anne Irwin , Daniel James Johnson , Jean Johnson , John Francis Martin Johnson , Bryan Wooleston Langlands , Frances Angelina Leonard , Ruth Elizabeth McCallion , Gwynneth McConville , Kathleen Ita McKenna , Nicola Luciano Mideo , Darren James Mitchell , Denis Moloney , Pearl Moloney , David Paul Mulholland , Anna Rose O’Donnell , Judith Ann Pattison , Richard Ramsaroop , Kathleen Teresa Sheila Ryan , Sean Luke Salters , Ann Marie Snee , Luka Berta Rita Stocker , Michael David Thompson , Koon Wong Tong , Jonathan Edwin Turner , Robert Wilson , Sarah Jane Wright .
Report this message By IAN GALE on 9th May 2011I WAS THERE THE NIGHT MANY OF YOU LOST YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS. I AM FROM TAMWORTH AND MY DAD, SAW THIS PLANE COMING DOWN WITH A FLAMING ENGINE FROM WHERE WE WERE. I HELPED BREAK BRANCHES FROM TREES AND HACK AWAY AT BUSHES TO MAKE A WALK WAY TO GET TO YOUR LOVED ONES. I ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND SOLDIERS AND EMERGRNCY SERVICES AS THEY ARRIVED DID A JOB THAT WAS NEEDED. EVEN NOW I RECALL MY NIGHT AS THE PEOPLE WERE BROUGHT OUT IN MAKE SHIFT BLANKET STRETCHERS PINK BLANKETS I SAW, WITH BLOOD ON. I SAW THE BADLY HURT AIR CREW PILOTS, MY DAD TOOK PHOTOS OF THIS INCIDENT TO PROVIDE TO THE INVESTIGATORS,HE WAS IN THE PAPER IN TAMWORTH. I CAN STILL NOW SMELL AND TASTE THAT AVIATION FUEL IT WAS AWFUL, EVEN AFTER THEY FOAMED IT THE SMELL WOULDNT GO AWAY. I HOPE THAT I DID A SMALL PART TOWARDS HELPING PEOPLE THAT NIGHT. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR LOST LOVED ONES. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SPOKEN OF MY INVOLVEMENT THAT NIGHT.IAN GALE OF TAMWORTH IN STAFFORDSHIRE.
Report this message By Niamh McGorrey on 10th Jan 2009My Uncle was in this accident and he lived he was the most serious person on it with the most injuries his name is Stephen McCoy he is a real fighter. Love you Stephen
Report this message By Stephanie Guy on 8th Jan 200920 years ago this evening as a child I watched the plane crash by my house in Kegworth. I'll never forget that evening, along with the hundreds of others who lived in Kegworth or surrounding villages, those who survived and the families of the victims. My thoughts are with you all tonight in remembrance x
Report this message By Jax Checkland on 7th Jan 2009My thoughts are with the families of people who lost their lives that sad night & the survivors. I was visiting my grandma that night in Kegworth, & we heard the crash. We went up to the site so my dad could try & help with the rescue. (my dad for obvious reasons made me stay in the car). I was only 8 then, & even though my memories of that night are fading, as an adult I can only now imagine the unbearable fear & pain that everyone suffered.
No one should have to suffer in such a way, My heart & thoughts are with everybody who was affected by this awful disaster 20 years ago tomorrow.
Report this message By janette nicol nee wilson on 6th Jan 2009I was 12 when you were taken from us Dad, in such a cruel way. I love and miss you so much even though 20 years have passed it isn't any easier, especially with all the things we've gone through without you... you weren't there to give me away at my wedding, but Mum did a fantastic job as she always has through the years and you never got to meet your grandson's I gave you and the grand-daughter Fi has given you, although I know you will always be looking down on them as you do on Mum, Fi and me.
We don't ask for miracles,
But today just one will do;
To leave the door wide open,
And see you walk right through.
We would wrap our arms around you,
And kiss your smiling face,
For you were very special,
Who no one can replace.
Lots and Lots of Love & Bosies
Janette x
Report this message By Patricia Gibas on 5th Jan 2009For all those who died, were injured or were involved in the rescue and aftermath (as I was) I offer a simple prayer. May we not forget those who were lost or affected by this in any way but may we also remember that life, with all of its sadness does go on and that within all the sadness we are blessed with many good things.
The Lord giveth, the lord taketh away and he took so much on that day but he gave us the strength to carry on, to look to a future albeit a different one.
The path ahead is often dim but if you look carefully there is light therein.
It's often hard to raise a smile but it's the little things that make life worthwhile.
So look for the rainbow after the rain, you are in my prayers once again.
God Bless
Report this message By nigel baldwin on 4th Jan 2009I survived and at one time or another wished i had not and had joined those that perished for times since have been sometimes unbearable.
I survived for a reason and that was to tell others that no matter what life throws at you we must fight on to the end until it is our turn to go home. At death life just begins and it's our choice where we go and i choose the place of eternal life, where peace and tranquility is in abundance at the right hand of God.
20 yrs on i wish to bless all those left behind after this tragedy and pray that you all from this day onwards be at peace and put the pain of this disaster behind you all.
God bless you all
Report this message By Robert Bruce Reid B.E.M.(mil) on 22nd Dec 2008Not forgotten in my prayers, whether lost or the surviving.
In this newspaper:
In all newspapers:
Did this person serve in the Armed Forces? Plant a Poppy in the Memorial Field. Plant your poppy
Was this person a victim of cancer? Plant a daffodil in the Field of Hope. Plant your daffodil
Was this person taken from us at a young age? Dedicate a Twinkling Star in our Night Sky. Dedicate your star
In Memory of Anne O'Donnell
Report this message By Colin McGrath on 28th Oct 2011