24th December 1927
A motorist is killed on a Jersey level crossing
The bell was sounding, warning oncoming traffic that the barrier was being lowered at the Grève d’Azette station level crossing, but Francis Lecocq thought he could probably squeeze through in time. He was wrong. The barrier came down on the roof of his car and held it firmly in place.
The train was already too close for the driver to stop, and although Lecocq and both of his daughters managed to get out of the car before the inevitable collision, The Times of 28 December 1927 reports that, on that fateful Christmas Eve, “the train crashed into the car, cutting it completely in half, and carrying it some 50 yards up the line”.
It also killed Lecocq.
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Other events that occured in December
The States receives bad news about Queen’s Valley reservoir plan
- The company contracted to build the Queen's Valley reservoir was unable to complete the work, forcing the States to look elsewhere.
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Jersey holds its first election by secret ballot
- In 1891 Jersey held its first. Centenier election in which elector’s votes were private. The law introducing secret ballots was passed ten months earlier
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Seigneur proves to be a real-life Scrooge
- Lord Godfray was accused of being a real-life Scrooge at Christmas 1857 when he demanded payment from a local widow.
- Read more…
Seneca sinks off the Jersey coast
- A cargo ship called Seneca was wrecked as she approached Jersey in December 1836, leading to the loss of one crew member's life.
- Read more…