In thick fog the ARKENDALE H with a cargo of thick black oil and the WASTDALE H carrying 400 tons of petrol, became lodged against a column of the bridge. Suddenly two spans dropped down onto the barges, cut into the cargo tanks, sparks flew and the petrol ignited.
Soon both barges and the river was ablaze. From the two crews, five men were killed and three saved. As a reminder of this terrible tradgedy the two barges still remain out in the estuary off Purton. Walk along between the canal and river at low water and they can be seen clearly out on the sands.
A detailed account of this story is related in the new book, DISASTERS ON THE SEVERN by Chris Witts
Detail of how to buy the book
The Severn Railway Bridge
The morning after the disaster
