   the clapham junction rail crash was a multiple train collision just south of clapham junction railway station in london that occurred at about 08:10 on 12 december 1988. a crowded passenger train crashed into the rear of another train that had stopped at a signal, and an empty train, travelling in the other direction, crashed into the debris. thirty-five people died and nearly five hundred were injured. the collision was caused by a signal failure due to a wiring fault. new wiring had been installed, but the old wiring had been left connected at one end, and loose and uninsulated at the other. an independent inquiry, chaired by anthony hidden, qc, found that the signalling technician responsible had not been told his working practices were wrong and his work had not been inspected by an independent person. he had also worked a seven-day week for the previous thirteen weeks. critical of the health and safety culture within british rail at the time, hidden's recommendations included ensuring that work was independently inspected and that a senior project manager be made responsible for all aspects of any major, safety-critical project such as re-signalling work. british rail was fined Â£250,000 for violations of health and safety law in connection with the accident. ==collisions== on 12 december 1988 the 07:18 from  to london waterloo, a crowded train made up from three four-car 4vep electric multiple units, was approaching  when the driver saw the signal ahead of him change from green proceed to red danger. unable to stop at the signal, he stopped his train at the next signal and then reported to the signalbox by telephone. he was told there was nothing wrong with the signal. at this point the following train, the 06:30 from , made up of a 4-rep and two 4tc multiple units, collided with the basingstoke train. a third train, carrying no passengers and made of two four-car 4vep units, was passing on the adjacent line in the other direction and hit the wreckage. the driver of a fourth train, coasting with no traction current, saw the other trains and
1988_in_London History_of_British_Rail History_of_Wandsworth Railway_accidents_in_1988 Railway_accidents_in_London Transport_in_Wandsworth