On this day - 12 December

On December 12th 1988 a major railway collision between four trains occurred just outside Clapham Junction station. The first train involved had stopped due to a change in the signal ahead from green to red. While the driver was phoning the signaller to ask about this at a railside telephone, a second train collided with the rear of the first. A third train going in the other direction on the adjacent line then hit the two. The fourth train was able to stop just in time as it approached.

There were 35 deaths and nearly 500 further sustained injuries. The collision was found to have occurred due to an issue with the signal wiring.