On the evening of 8 April, 1953, signal failures led to delays on the Central line, with drivers again following 'stop and proceed' rules. However, a train heading eastbound towards Epping ploughed into the back of a stationary train waiting in the tunnel between Stratford and Leyton just before 7pm, leaving twelve passengers dead and many wounded.

The driver was hurt but survived and was later charged with having ignored the 'stop and proceed' rules by a Public Inquiry.

 It was the 6.55 Epping train which run into the back of a Hainaught bound train.

Seem the driver passed a signal at Red, and because the tunnel curves round he did not see the other train which was standing still until it was too late.

There are various reports on the incident which states 12 killed, but the British Pathe News states 8 adults and one child.

Amongst the 42 who were injured was the driver of the Epping Train who had to have his leg Amputated

This was not the first fatal accident on this stretch of line, On 5 December, 1947, a signal failure on the Central line near Stratford meant that trains running on that section of line had to follow 'stop and proceed' rules, allowing them to continue very slowly past a red light after having waited for a minute. However, an empty train carrying three signalling staff sent to investigate the cause of the signal failure soon crashed into the back of the empty train in front of it at around 10mph, trapping the driver and the signal staff in the cab, with one of the men dying before they could be rescued.

The cause of the accident was simply that the driver had not followed the rules.

The photo shows an Underground Train about to depart into the East Bound Tunnel