Gas explosion victims to be honoured

20180918-explosion-scene.jpg

#wathupondearne

Latest news in Yorkshire: September 18, 2018 11:50:39 AM

Families of three Rotherham men killed in a huge gas explosion 45 years ago
will attend a service in memory of the victims, where a permanent memorial
will be unveiled.

National Grid has confirmed plans for a public tribute to Patrick Sleight,
Cyril Kennedy and William Donaldson near the site of the former Effingham
Street gasworks in Sheffield, which exploded in October 1973.

Six people died, dozens were injured and others were showered with debris in
the blast.

Mr Sleight, from East Dene, Mr Kennedy, of Clifton, and Mr Donaldson, of
Ravenfield, were among a gang of five working on dismantling a gas tank when
it blew up.

Another Rotherham man, Derek Copson, was reported to have left the site to
buy sandwiches for his workmates just before the explosion and returned to
find the scene of devastation.

Hannah White, land regeneration manager at National Grid, said: “We are
delighted that so many relatives who were personally affected by the
explosion have chosen to get in touch with us.

“We’re developing our plans for a memorial event which will include a
permanent reminder of the disaster 45 years ago.”

National Grid has recently started work to dismantle the last remaining
gasholder in an area that has been associated with gas production and
storage since the early 1800s.

===================

See our yorkshire photography:
https://wath-on-dearne.com/wathondearne/around-the-dearne-valley/

...