Service to mark 68th anniversary of Winter Hill disaster

Gathering in St John's to remember 35 Manx residents killed

A service is taking place today at St John’s to mark the 68th anniversary of the 1958 Winter Hill air disaster, the UK’s worst high ground aviation accident.

Thirty-five Manx residents lost their lives when the aircraft crashed on 27 February 1958 on the slopes of Winter Hill near Horwich, with only seven of the 42 people on board surviving.

The informal gathering at 11am this morning at Cooil y Ree Park is organised by the Rotary Club of Douglas and is open to all members of the public.

Thanks are being given to the people of Horwich, especially the Rotary Club of Horwich, for their rescue efforts and support, with refreshments served afterwards at Green’s Café.