Over 100 years ago on a day trip to Brighton 10 people died & 26 were injured at Handcross Hill, Sussex, in what still remains the worst road crash in Sussex history & one of the worst single-vehicle crashes in Britain.
Witnesses at the inquest held at the Red Lion pub in Handcross said the camber of the narrow steep, crumbling old road was dangerous, throwing the bus into a roadside tree.
The bus was full of Kent firefighters, friends & families from Orpington & St Mary Cray. Many were on the top deck enjoying the charming country views & despite breakdowns were very happily drinking beer. Their numbers made the bus top heavy but other factors were against the driver, who had enjoyed a couple of beers on the way also.
 

John French
Thomas Francis
Arthur Savage
Solomon Epsom
Edward Packman
Walter Vann
W. Baker
Henry Burch
W. Bailey
Henry Hutchins
 
Four later dying
from injuries
 
Margaret Poulton
Caroline Waters
David Waters - aged 5
Paula Waters
 

For many years a simple metal cross on a fence marked the spot, but was lost.
At the Fountain Inn in Handcross a picture of the wrecked bus is the village's only public reminder.
Phil Dennett
 

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