A BUS, full of Volunteer Fire Brigade members and their families from Orpington & St Mary Cray, were on a day trip Brighton in 1906 A total of 10 people died and 26 people were injured at Handcross, Sussex. At Handcross Hill, the vehicle gathered speed and as the driver applied the brakes the gearbox shattered and the brakes failed the vehicle now ran out of control. The adverse camber of the road caused the bus to crash into a tree.

Handcross motor bus disaster July 12th 1906

Police moving down Kent Road, St. Mary Cray

Coffins of the fireman moving down Kent Road, St. Mary Cray

Firemen moving down Kent Road, St. Mary Cray

Approaching St Mary Cray Parish Church

Funeral approaching St. Mary Cray Parish Church

Bus Disaster at Handcross Hill

Approaching All Saints Orpingtom