THREE people were killed and several others seriously injured when a runaway carrier’s van carrying 14 passengers collided with a coal wagon.
The accident happened near Spittlegate Cottages, Somerby Hill, in 1907
The van, which belonged to John William Wilkinson, was going down the steep hill towards the town when the usually passive horse began to kick. Mr Wilkinson tried to restrain the mare by tightening the reins but he slipped and the horse bolted.
Both horse and van careered down the hill and crashed into a two-horse coal wagon coming towards them.
The van overturned killing three passengers from Lenton, Ropsley and Folkingham.
Several other passengers received fractures and head injuries, some serious.
The horse was unhurt. Mr Wilkinson ran a service from Lenton to Grantham market every Tuesday and Saturday.
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