The 'terrible accident' that killed 21 people

The accident saw a total of 21 passengers killed and a further 47 injured

A fatal train crash described as one of Britain's worst ever rail disasters is set to be memorialised 120 years on.

On 27 July 1905, a Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway express train from Liverpool to Southport was approaching Hall Road station, Blundellsands, when it struck an empty stationary train.

In what became known as the Hall Road Rail Disaster, a total of 21 passengers were killed and a further 47 injured, with an official report later finding the points on the track had failed to close properly.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell will unveil a plaque commemorating the disaster on Sunday at 13:00 BST at Hall Road station.

Points on the track failed to close properly, the official report later found

The official report revealed that the empty train had been shunted into a siding to allow the express to pass but the points failed to close properly.

The signalman was unable to clear the signal for the express, and then worked the points back and forth three times and, unable to clear the signal, waved a green flag to the driver.

He had left the points set for the siding and the express was diverted into it and struck the rear of the local train.

'Terrible accident'

To recognise the 120th anniversary of the disaster, Sefton Council has dedicated a page to the crash on their website, and included profiles on those who perished.

Among the victims were a solicitor's clerk, a 6-year-old, a coach trimmer, and the son of a famous Wesleyan minister, Rev. Thomas Waugh.

Another passenger, Henry Potter, was severely injured in the crash and died three months later.

Remarkably, both drivers managed to jump clear before the impact and survived.

The Hall Road Rail Disaster was the second serious train crash on the line, with eight people dying in an incident at Waterloo Station less than two years earlier.

Blundellsands ward councillor and Sefton Council cabinet member Diane Roscoe said: "Although now forgotten by many, this was a terrible accident.

"I am pleased the council has been able to work with local historians and Merseyrail to put this permanent memorial in place to remember those so sadly killed on that fateful day."