Commemorative events to mark 25th anniversary of Ladbroke Grove train crash

Two events will be held on Saturday 5 October 2024 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ladbroke Grove Train Crash in west London. The events will remember those who died, those who were injured and everyone else who was affected by the disaster.

On 5 October 1999, the 8:06am train from London Paddington to Bedwyn, Wiltshire collided with the 6:03am train from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to Paddington at 8:11am, two miles outside Paddington Station. Thirty-one people died and over 400 were injured, making it one of the most catastrophic railway disasters in 20th century British history.

In brief, the two events are:

• A wreath-laying ceremony and reflection at 8:00am: At the Ladbroke Grove Memorial Garden, Canal Way, North Kensington, London W10 5AZ. This will be led by Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Kensington.
• A service of remembrance at 11:00am: At St Helen’s Church, St Helen’s Gardens, North Kensington, London W10 6LP. The service will also be led by the Bishop of Kensington.

During the service there will be a candle-lighting ceremony with a candle lit for each person who died—as happened in 2019.  

The commemorative events are being organised by Tony Thompson, a former British Transport Police superintendent who was significantly involved in the Ladbroke Grove crash and its aftermath.

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