Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Wallasey bus accident 1950s

This is a long shot, but does anyone have any info about a fatal accident that happened probably mid 1950s at Lloyds Corner/Poulton Road traffic lights. From what I remember, a woman (apparently a relative of mine) was waiting to get off a bus when it was hit by a lorry. This was in the days when buses didn't have doors and the woman was thrown out and the bus toppled over and fell on top of her. She died shortly after leaving a husband and 3 young children. I think her name would have been Jones. No blame was attributed as traffic lights were not staggered then and both vehicles had gone through on amber.

This is what I remember overhearing my parents saying when I was a kid. As I'm now becoming senile some or all the details could be wrong, but I'd really like to know what happened. As a sad ps, I believe her husband never got over his wife's death and a couple of years later walked out of the house to get a packet of fags and was never seen or heard of again. It was assumed that he had committed suicide. Don't know what became of the children.

There is actually a picture of the crash scene and a brief account of this that I have seen in a local history book. Sorry I can't remember which one but I bet someone on here will produce the picture. Once you verify the date you will be able to get an account of what happened from the Wallasey library newspaper files.

I can vaguely remember people being killed at a bus stop outside Marlowe road church. Think a car or possibly bus went into some people waiting for a bus?

There is a picture in an A4 softback book called something like the Wallasey Bus, local libraries have copies.

Cant find my copy right now, I think it was published by Boumphrey.

Have a look at www.yesterdayswirral.co.uk

How very sad

Yes I am sure it was in one of the Boumphrey ones. It showed the bus on it's side and I seem to remember a policeman being in the picture. It was definitely Lloyd's Corner. I can remember something at Marlowe Road too. I also remember a lady being killed at a bus stop in Breck Road in the mid sixties when an out of control steamroller ran down St Hilary's Brow and demolished the bus stop she was standing at. One of the old concrete ones. I was down that way the other day and noticed a car or something had hit a wallon the same side. Think it might have been the same place.

I forgot I had a copy of TB Maund's 'The Wallasey Bus'. There's a brief mention of the accident on page 44. It was in March 1959 and was a collision between two buses, not a bus and a lorry as I thought.

If you go to the library you will be able to find the relevant newspaper report and you will also be able to get a copy of the death certificate of the lady in question.

Seems I had most of the info already (I really must read the books I buy!!) but wouldn't have discovered it without all your help.

Extract from “The Wallasey Fire Brigade” by Noel E Smith (page 51)

“Accident at Lloyd’s Corner
There was a serious accident at Lloyd’s Corner involving two Wallasey Corporation buses on 23 March 1959. Two buses collided – one hurrying back to Seacombe Ferry for the rush-hour commuters. The No.3 Route bus had clipped the No.14 Route bus as it was coming along Wheatland Lane causing it to crash over on its side. The Ambulance services and Police raced to the scene. Mrs May Elizabeth Jones, who had been trapped under the bus, along with 14 passengers were taken to Victoria Central Hospital in Liscard road. Sadly, Mrs Jones died a few days later but the others were allowed home after treatment.”

Still worth a trip to the library to get more details and perhaps a report on the inquest.

my computer monitor weighs a ton!!!!

Sorry about the photo being upside down - it looks OK on my pc. Can it be put right?
The caption in the book is "Sergeant Roberts surveys the scene where a passenger is being taken to hospital following an accident caused by two buses colliding at Lloyd's Corner 23 March 1959". After some research I discovered that May Jones was the wife of my 1st cousin Frank.

That's the book I seen it in but I don't have it any more as I gave it to someone. Glad you found what you needed.

Hello Nightwalker.
I realise this message is a number of years old now but May Elizabeth Jones was my great grandmother. She had four children, and her daughter is my grandmother. Frank Jones did leave the children after May died and none of them had any contact with him afterwards, never knowing where he went. All of May and Frank’s children are still alive today. Frank moved the children to Coventry after May died and one of the children since returned to Liverpool.
I would very much like to get in contact with you and share what information we have 🙂

Have sent you a private message NikiKitt