WHEN I printed a picture of a 1941 tram crash on Folds Road, it brought a response from Mr Allan Green of Bromley Cross, who was a passenger on the tram.
Another letter has now arrived from Mrs Jean Chilver, of Rosedale Avenue, Sharples, Bolton, who was also on the upper deck -- "As I remember, it was a Wednesday afternoon, and my friend and I were returning to the Church Institute (at the bottom of Silverwell Street, where the Friends Meeting House now stands) where we were pupils, for a Guiding event. At that time we always had Wednesday afternoons free, so that was when the Guide Company held its meetings.
"Following the crash there was a certain amount of confusion when we -- not realising we had been hurt -- tried to gather our possessions. We were then shepherded into a small chemist's shop which was at the bottom of Bank Street, and several helpful motorists ran those involved to the Royal Infirmary where we were cleaned and stitched up.
"I am pleased to hear that Mr Green missed being caught by the pole which came through the roof of the tram; however, it turned out to be a blessing, as it enabled the tram to slide to the ground instead of crashing down. This could have resulted in much worse injuries.
"The trams look very antiquated to us today, but they certainly did a good job, always reliable, every few minutes down Tonge Moor Road. During the Black Out they tan with dimmed lights. They were packed with workers and schoolchildren at certain times of the day and also, during the war, with RAF personnel from Manchester Road College going to their billets in the district. On the Tonge Moor route to town, we all survived the 'roller coaster' ride round Turner Bridge!"
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