Residents, community leaders, and councillors gathered to commemorate the Winter Hill Air Disaster on the 65th anniversary.
The accident, which occurred at around 9.45am on Thursday, February 27, 1958, claimed the lives of 35 people and injured a further seven.
The Silver City Airways Bristol 170 Freighter collided with Winter Hill on Rivington Moor above Horwich, due to poor weather conditions, low visibility and a navigational error.
Winter Hill was covered in deep snow, however the first officer managed to reach the TV station and raise the alarm.
There then followed a frantic effort on the part of the rescuers to save those who had survived.
READ MORE: 65th anniversary of Winter Hill plane crash commemoration
On Monday, February 27, Mayor of Horwich Cllr Steven Chadwick, Revd David Griffiths, members Horwich Heritage and the Rotary Club of Horwich, and several residents marked the anniversary with a small service and the laying of wreaths.
The occasion was also marked by a similar event on the Isle of Man.
Cllr Chadwick said: "Each year the Rotary Club of Horwich do a great job of commemorating the Winter Hill Air Disaster.
Horwich Rotary with Mayor of Horwich, Stephen Chadwick, Mayoress Mrs Susan Denton, and members of Horwich Heritage commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Winter Hill Air Disaster with a memorial service led by Rev David Griffiths. pic.twitter.com/Ih64nrGrM2
— Horwich Rotary (@HorwichRotary) February 27, 2023
“This year, along with Horwich Heritage, we have all marked this significant anniversary.
“It's really important in Horwich, as I am sure it is for islanders, that we continue to mark this important day and remember the 35 Manx residents who lost their lives in our town that day.
READ MORE: Remembering the Winter Hill air disaster 60 years on
“Many thanks to everybody involved in arranging the Service of Remembrance and to those Horwichers who made the walk up Winter Hill to attend."
A spokesperson for Horwich Heritage said: “It's important for us to remember the 35 people who lost their lives that morning. Also, we remember the sterling effort of the emergency services plus the people of Horwich and surrounding areas who came to help.”
The aeroplane was carrying members of the Isle of Man motor trade from Ronaldsway Airport, on the Isle of Man, to Ringway Airport, Manchester.
The passengers were on their way to the Exide Battery factory at Clifton Junction.
READ MORE: Horwich Heritage Centre remembers Winter Hill Air Crash 1958
The accident remains Britain's worst high level air accident, and happened just three weeks after the infamous Munich Air Disaster took the lives of 23 people, including eight of Manchester United's Busby Babes who were also returning to Ringway Airport after a European Cup tie in Belgrade.
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