"TWO PERSONS REPORTED
KILLED AND FIFTY INJURED
"The Press
Association's Glasgow correspondent telegraphs that during the
progress of the International match between England and
Scotland it is reported that two persons were killed, and 50
were more or less injured, 15 seriously." -
The Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 5 April 1902 |
"SENSATION AT THE
INTERNATIONAL
———
PERILS OF BIG CROWDS
———
A RUSH AT GLASGOW
———
MANY
PERSONS INJURED; SOME REPORTED FATALLY |
"A
later telegram says play had scarcely commenced when one of
the stands crowded with people collapsed with terrible
results.
"A later telegram says the accident
was not due to the collapse of a stand. It appears that just
before four o'clock the vast crowd broke through the barriers,
and in the terrific crush which resulted, between 40 and 50
people were injured, and had to be carried off the field. Two
were said to have succumbed to their injuries. It will be seen
from the telegrams that considerable uncertainty prevailed for
some time as to what had taken place. The Press Association
report two persons killed and fifty injured, but this lacks
confirmation.
"The latest report of the
accident says two killed, thirty injured. We received this
just as we went to press." -
The Yorkshire Evening Post, Saturday, 5 April 1902 |
 "The
play in the great International match of the year is
overshadowed entirely by the terrible disaster attending the
gathering of the mighty assemblage. The meeting within the
compass of a few acres of nearly one hundred thousand people
at any time would be attended with a certain element of
danger. The officials of the powerful Scottish club were fully
cognisant of what was required from them, and the vast
structure of terrace was tested by men who were qualified to
do so
"To those who have not seen the large
grounds given over to football in Glasgow any description of
the ampitheatre would be impossible. Parkhead and Ibrox have
built up around the arena, to the height over over 100 feet,
terraces, but whereas at Parkhead the construction has been
made on solid soil Ibrox has been made on steel girders.
Massed on these terraces were the thousands of enthusiasts,
and one small part gave way precipitating the people below.
Some hung to the edges. Great heroism was displayed by one
man, who climbed along at the risk of his own life and bodily
raised some of the unfortunate ones to safety. About three
hundred fell with the structure, and three died shortly after
the wreckage had been removed. About thirty are actually
injured, and nearly 200 more are suffering, casualties ranging
from smashed limbs to bruises on the head.
"A
later telegram says that with the object of taking off the
attention of the vast crowd the match was played, and in the
meantime a large band of men quickly set to work to do all
possible for the injured. The doors of the pay boxes were torn
off and converted into stretchers. A doctor who was early on
the scene said that the back of the terracing at first view
resembled a battlefield, the injured lying about in heaps.
Cabs, brakes, and every conceivable vehicle were requisitioned
to remove the sufferers to the infirmaries or their homes.
"In a a still later message from Glasgow the correspondent
gave the following official list of those persons most
seriously injured and removed to the Infirmary: David
Henderson, Govan; George Clark, Glasgow; Edward Blair, Clyde
Bank; Robert Kinneman, Greenock; Henry Walker, Govan; Geo.
Crossan, Cathcart, Glasgow; Wm. Young, Govan; Wm. Dewar,
Kirkcaldy; Andrew Thomson, Govan; Andrew Forbes, Aberdeen; Wm.
Bains, Glasgow; John Morton, Glasgow; Thos. Logan, Glasgow;
Jas. Porter, Bellshill; Kenneth McKenzie, Dennistoun, Glasgow;
George Baird, Glasgow; Andrew Merriman (place not known); Jno.
Duncan, Glasgow; Blair King, Greenock; Colin McLoughlin,
Falkirk; Jno. Burns, Kilcaldy; Wm. McLaren, Dunfermline;
Andrew Sneddon, Govan; Thos. Mackie, Glasgow; Wm. Colville,
Glasgow; A. Ross, Glasgow; Ebenezer Eilmsley, Glasgow; William
Dallas, Stirling, William Park, Renfrew; David Grant,
Aberdeen; William Murray, Govan; David Anderson, Glasgow;
George Kirton, Glasgow; Thomas Mackenzie, Govan; Ebenezer Moch,
Stirling; David Drail, Kirkcaldy; Andrew Thomas, Glasgow; John
Dickie, Springburn, Glasgow; Peter Henry, Govan; and a lad
named George E. Murray, who is in a critical condition. The
sufferers in the majority of cases sustained injuries to the
skull and limbs, many having broken legs.
"A
later telegram says:—The disaster occurred, not through
the mere pressure of the crowd, but to a much more direct
cause. At one end of the ground there is a large terraced
stand rising from a few feet above the level of the ground to
a height of fully thirty feet. It is of wooden planks with
iron framework, and can accommodate many thousands. Yesterday
it was filled almost to its utmost limit.
"The
crowd swayed dangerously for some time prior to the start of
the match, and with a few minutes of the kick-off a portion of
the planking at the back of the stand, and therefore the
highest part of it, gave way, precipitating those standing
there a depth of thirty feet. It is surprising that more
people were not killed, for the break extended for fully
twenty yards round the ring, and that particular level of the
stand was several feet in depth.
"A panic
naturally occurred, and what at first appeared to be due to
the mere pressure of the crowd resulted from the frantic
efforts of those close at hand to get off the stand. Strange
as it may sound, the fact that anything so tragic a character
had occurred was quite unrealised in other parts of the
ground, so vast was the gathering. The only intimation that
anything serious had happened consisted in the carrying of
several people across the field of play, and these were
supposed to have been merely faint and crushed in the stampede
on the field of play. Had the serious nature of the accident
been fully realised, the gamer would have been stopped, but
the majority of those injured were carried round to the
pavilion behind the stands.
 "It is now known
that the deaths number three, but the names of the deceased
are not yet available, though it is stated that one comes from
Aberdeen, another from Birmingham, and the third from Glasgow.
The three persons lingered for some minutes before they
succumbed, death being caused by fractures of the skull. By
six o'clock the last of the injured had been removed to the
hospital, and those less seriously hurt taken home. Captain Whitecross, the chief of police, states that the seriously
injured numbered between sixty and seventy, some of the cases
being critical. He had his men, who are trained in ambulance
work, quickly on the scene to aid the injured, and he was
satisfied that everything was done as promptly as possible to
alleviate the sufferings of the injured.
"Mr.
Thomas Low, one of those who was at the back of the stand when
it collapsed, said he was left just at the edge of the gulf.
The opening was thirty feet wide, and would extend twelve
tiers. Those on these tiers disappeared as if through a trap
door. Previous to the terracing falling in, the spectators had
been swaying badly, and the rails, which penned off certain
numbers, snapped under the pressure. There was a great rush to
get clear of the opening, and many were flung down on the
heads of those in front. He himself had to be most guarded in
getting clear, as the planks continued to yield, and he
expected every moment to be amongst the moaning and bleeding
men fifty feet below. When he got safely to the ground the
scene was terrible. Those on the top literally walked over
those who were pinned in by blanks. He never saw a crowd so
awed and terror-stricken as those who were near the part which
gave way. He led one man down who had lost his speech. The
terracing was supported by heavy iron girders.
"A young man, name unknown, has succumbed
to his injuries in the Victoria Infirmary, raising the death
toll to four." -
The Umpire, Sunday, 6 April 1902 |
|
"HOW
THE COLLAPSE OCCURRED |
"It appears that the crowd on the highest portion on the
western terracing got out of control through a railing, which
divided off the occupants of some of the uppermost tiers,
snapping, and the unusual pressure concentrating, the wood
planking collapsed like a trap door. The greatest
consternation prevailed amongst those near to the gulf thus
created, and for a time they were spellbound, the natural
inference being that more of the terracing would give way.
Fortunately the remainder held, and thus further disaster was
averted. There was a rush to get to terra firma, but nothing
like a panic ensued. The scene below was a shocking one, the
ragged ends of boards and beams, and heads, arms, and legs of
the unfortunate sufferers protruding alternately, and the work
of rescue was difficult in the extreme. For a time no one
ventured under the terracing to aid in the rescue work,
fearful that further portions would collapse and crush
rescuers and sufferers as well. However, the police soon got
to work, and gradually the sufferers were brought out and laid
alongside the fence, that part of the ground subsequently
resembling a miniature battlefield. The debris of the
terracing was hastily transformed into rough splints, while
the larger beams were utilised as stretchers for carrying the
injured to the pavilion, pending the arrival of medical men.
"The fact that the game was proceeded with was doubtless
gratifying to the great number who had assembled, many of them
from long distances, but to those engaged amongst the dead and
dying the applause which from time to time greeted the various
points of the play proved incongruous in the extreme, coming
as it did to the accompaniment to the groans and moans of the
injured. Most of the injuries were received by the victims
striking the iron beams as they fell. The conveyance of the
injured on stretchers constituted quite a procession to the
pavilion, which was made the head-quarters for the sufferers,
and thither a number of medical men and ambulances gathered,
summoned by means of the telephone. Nearly 200 persons fell
into the cavity when the collapse occurred. Two of those who
succumbed were alive when extricated, but expired on reaching
the pavilion. Many anxious relatives gathered round the
entrance to this temporary hospital, and painful scenes were
witnessed.
"The disaster was the all absorbing
theme of conversation in Glasgow on Saturday night and
yesterday. Up to yesterday the death-roll amounted to 20,
while 173 were more or less seriously injured. These are all
detained in the three infirmaries in the city, the majority
(146) being in the Western Infirmary, where some painful
scenes were witnessed. In this institution fourteen died
between the time of their admission and this morning, while on
Saturday night 50 cases were treated, the patients, after
their hurts were dressed, being sent home. The bulletins
giving the names of the deceased victims and other details,
which were posted on Sunday at the head and branch offices of
the evening newspapers, were eagerly scanned by many
thousands, who were astounded by the magnitude of the
disaster. The majority of the injured—and of these there are
several classes dangerous—belong to Glasgow suburbs. There are
two women in the list, aged 26 and 46 respectively. The
former's husband is also among the injured. The following is a
list of the dead:—
| George Maxwell M'Auslan,
clerk, Victoria Quadrant, Cathcart, Glasgow. |
| Mrs. George Maxwell
McAuslan, who had been married only about six months
ago, had visited all the infirmaries in the city in
search of her husband, and it was a pitiful sight when
she was taken to the mortuary and shown his lifeless
body. |
Frank M'Donald,
24, 13,
Fairfield-street, Govan.
Hugh Armour,
37, blacksmith, 8, Lumsden-street, Overnewton,
Glasgow.
William Robertson,
25, pattern maker, Bainsford, Falkirk. |
|
The
scale of disfiguring injuries can best be judged from a report of how the father of one unfortunate went to the
Western Infirmary on Saturday night in the hope of finding his
25-year-old son, William Robertson. He was not among the
injured, so the father was shown to the mortuary where he
identified a body as being that of William. He was arranging
the funeral when his son arrived home at Bainsford, Falkirk,
and his mother fainted.
|
|
Andrew Scott, 29, gunmaker's
assistant, 5, Montgomery-terrace, Glasgow. |
| Mr. Andrew Scott was
one of the best shots in Scotland. On several
occasions he was one of the Scottish Twenty, and three
times one of the Queen's Hundred. |
James Herdman, 7,
Copeland-road, Govan.
William Wilkie, 59,
mathematical tutor, 234, St. George's-road, Glasgow.
Michael Donnelly, mason, 122, Saltmarket-street, Glasgow.
Walter White, 22, Heyburn Crescent, Partick.
Alexander Simpson,
18, clerk, Moss Side Terrace, Paisley.
Robert Stevenson,
address not known.
James Henderson,
address not known.
George Stewart,
address not known.
Bruce Crawford,
20 [or 26], apprentice bricklayer, 10, Clarendon-street, Partick.
George Edward Murray,
21, ticket printer, 19, Pintland Place, Bridgeton.
Alexander Murray,
50, comb maker, Forbes, Aberdeen. |
"Four bodies have not yet been
identified, two lying in the Western Infirmary, one in the
Victoria Infirmary, and one in Govan Police Office." -
The Sporting Chronicle, Monday, 7 April 1902 |
|
"A
later telegram says that two other deaths have occurred, the
names being— |
James Fleming
(65), Derby-street, Port Dundas; and
John
McLellan (25), porter, of 121½,
Duke-street, Dennistown |
"The dead body in Victoria Infirmary has been identified as
that of Donald Steel, apprentice carpenter, 895, Govan-road
"The official list gives eighteen killed, James Henderson and
Frank McDonald not having succumbed to their injuries.
"Last evening Lord Provost Chisholm visited the three Glasgow
infirmaries, and went round all the beds where the injured
were lying. To those who were able to speak he said a kind
word. The doctors at the Western Infirmary state that there
are fully half a dozen injured who may die within the next
twenty four hours. They are still unconscious.
"It seems that the steel supports of the terrace did not in
the least give way, but that it was purely the flooring which
sank.
"The Lord Provost will open a relief
fund, and a football match will be played early in May, the
proceeds to go to the fund. Last night there were still large
crowds opposite the infirmary gates and outside the newspaper
offices, which posted up the list of killed." -
Manchester Courier, Monday, 7 April 1902 |
|
"A
Glasgow correspondent visited the Western Infirmary yesterday,
and ascertained that two further deaths had occurred there as
a consequence of the catastrophe, the victims being— |
John Gilbert
(22), upholsterer, Burrell-square, Crieff; and
William McNair (40),
9, Fleming-street, Dennistown |
"Mr.
James Hart, Procurator-Fiscal for Lanarkshire, was engaged
yesterday forenoon on behalf of the Crown inquiring into the
calamity. It is not yet known what action the authorities will
take, but, as the result of Mr. Hart's visit, a number of
experts attended at Ibrox Park to report on the strength and
stability of the structure. It is more than probable that a
public inquiry into the disaster will be held, under the
presidency of Sheriff Principal Berry.
"A
meeting of office-bearers of the Scottish Football Association
was held in their rooms, 6, Carlton-place, Glasgow, yesterday,
Mr. Kirkwood, the president, in the chair. The proceedings
were conducted in private, and at the close the president
informed the members of the Press that he had nothing to
communicate." -
Daily News, Tuesday, 8 April 1902 |
|
"Another
death has occurred as the result of the lamentable accident at
Ibrox Park, Govan, thus bringing the mortality up to 21. The
name of the unfortunate man is— |
|
Alexander Bowie,
(43), caulker, 93, Roodspark-street, Govan. |
who
succumbed to his injuries in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow,
yesterday morning. A few serious cases—indeed, the doctors say
hopeless—are still at this institution, but happily all
the rest are doing well. The total number of cases of injuries
under treatment is 325. We are authorised to announce that
after a consultation between the Secretary for Scotland and
the Lord Advocate it has been resolved to hold a special
inquiry in regard to the accident to the stand at the Ibrox
Park Football Ground. The Lord Provost of Glasgow will call a
public meeting on Friday for the purpose of organising a
National Relief Fund.
"At a meeting of the
Warwickshire County Cricket Club Committee last night a
special committee was appointed to see that the stands erected
for the coming Test match between England and Australia at
Edgbaston should be perfectly safe, and that the safety of the
public should be assured in every way. Special instructions
have been given to the architect to see that solidity of
construction is obtained." -
Daily News, Tuesday, 8 April 1902 |
|
"During the day eleven patients were dismissed from hospital
and taken to their homes for further treatment, leaving 120
patients still in the Western Infirmary, 33 in the Victoria
Infirmary, and 4 in the Royal Infirmary. Of those no fewer
than 28 are in extremely critical condition. This is still one
body lying in the mortuary unidentified. The other bodies have
been coffined and taken to the homes of the relatives. The
last of the three bodies in Govan Police Station has been
claimed. It is that of— |
|
James Reid
(42), labourer, 12, Mill-street, Greenock. |
The
injured at the Victoria Infirmary are also progressing
favourably, with the exception of a man named Lockhart, who is
much exhausted. The patients at the Royal Infirmary are going
on well.
"All the bodies of the victims have
now been identified. The only one remaining unidentified has
been recognised as that of— |
|
Alexander Dow,
Henrietta-place,
Scotstown, Glasgow". |
|
|
|
"INTERVIEW WITH THE REFEREE |
"Mr
Jim Torrans, I.R.A. (Belfast), was seen at Queen's Island,
where he is now in the employment of Messrs Harland and Wolff,
by a press representative yesterday afternoon. He stated that
neither he nor any of the players knew anything about the
disaster until they had to leave the field owing to
encroachment of the ground by the spectators, and it was not
until half-time that they gained any idea of the extent of the
accident. At that time three men lay dead in the pavilion, and
doctors were busy dressing the injuries of many others. He was
advised that it would be best to continue the game, as most of
the spectators knew practically nothing about the calamity,
and it was feared that abandonment of the match might lead to
still more disastrous consequences from riot. It was, however,
determined that the contest would be stopped at once if the
spectators again came over the touchline. The game was played
sturdily to the finish, and he believed the players were
prepared to accept the result as one which should be
officially recorded. The disaster, in his opinion, could not
have been avoided."
- Aberdeen Weekly Journal, Wednesday, 9 April 1902 |
|
"No
report has appeared of the decision of the F.A. Council as to
the status of the players who took part in the game at Ibrox.
The Council decided that although the game should not count in
the records the men who played should still be recognised as
'Internationals' so that if any of the eleven are unable to
play at Birmingham next Saturday their claim to the title will
not be endangered."
- Athletic News, Monday, 28 April 1902 |
|
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flg.jpg){kind=small}
"THE
CALAMITY AT IBROX PARK"
