The Kegworth air disaster remains a tragic memory for the community, marking the loss of 47 lives in a devastating crash.
Kegworth: It’s a night that the village will never forget. On January 8, 1989, everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news. A Boeing 737 was trying to land at East Midlands Airport but tragically crashed into the M1 embankment.
The plane had 126 people on board, and sadly, 47 lost their lives. Many others were seriously injured. Villagers rushed out of their homes when they heard the struggling engines, and some even saw the plane pass low over St Andrew’s Church.
This disaster came just weeks after the Lockerbie tragedy, and it shook the community. Motorists stopped on the motorway to help, while emergency services raced to the scene from all over the region.
The people of Kegworth showed incredible bravery that night. They brought blankets and anything else they thought could help. Everyone worked together, showing a united spirit in the face of such horror.
Every year, the village remembers those who lost their lives and honors the heroes who helped. In 2019, a special service was held at St Andrew’s Church to mark the 30th anniversary of the crash.
During the service, Kegworth’s rector, Lauretta Wilson, reminded everyone that the village has never forgotten that fateful night. The emotions were still raw, even after all those years.
Lesley Pendleton, who was the clerk to the parish council back then, recalled how everyone in the village could tell you exactly where they were when the plane went down. She had seen the smoke rising and thought it was just a car fire until she looked over the bridge.
What she saw was something she would never forget. The wreckage was everywhere, and it was a miracle that no cars were hit on the motorway. The scene was eerily quiet as people realized the gravity of what had happened.
Lesley had to coordinate the village’s emergency plan that night. She remembered how the community sprang into action, providing food and shelter for the emergency workers. It was a magnificent response from everyone.
Even after all these years, the village remembers those who died and those who were injured. They also honor the firefighters, police, and medical staff who rushed to help that night.
After the service in 2019, people gathered to share their stories. Lifeboat crewmen Des Simmons and Ken Fowler were among the first to arrive at the scene. They were on their way home from a boat show when they saw the crash.
Ken recalled how they jumped into action, helping the injured. They didn’t think twice; they just did what anyone would do in that situation. It was a long night for them.
Others, like cobbler Peter Bullock, also stopped to help. He saw things that were hard to talk about but knew people needed assistance. The adrenaline was pumping, and he just wanted to do what he could.
Sheila Sharpe, who was involved with the village’s museum, reflected on how Kegworth is often defined by this tragedy. But she also emphasized the importance of moving forward and not letting one horrific event define the village.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch later determined that a mix of mechanical failure and human error caused the crash. The Boeing 737 had left Heathrow, but a fan blade snapped, leading to a loss of power and the tragic crash.
Since then, many safety improvements have been made in aviation. Lessons learned from Kegworth have made planes safer, and the UK has led the way in aviation safety.
