27th April 1949
Race car crash kills driver and spectators
A leading light in the world of motor racing was killed when he skidded and crashed his Bugatti into a house at Marquand’s Corner. Kenneth Wilfred Bear had been practicing for the 176-mile Jersey International Road Race at the time. The car collided with six people at the side of the road. A doctor died on the spot and a policeman died the following morning. The other four injured were kept in hospital. Bear’s funeral took place in Jersey.
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Other events that occured in April
Jersey benefactor Thomas Davis is born
- Thomas Benjamin Frederick Davis was born in St Helier, and died, aged 75, in Durban, South Africa. He left behind a considerable fortune and a yacht once owned by the Kaiser.
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Occupation prisoner Paul Desire Gourdan is born
- Paul Gourdan was one of the many islanders who was transported to mainland Europe to serve a prison sentence during the Occupation.
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The States starts dismantling Jersey Railway
- After a fire, and facing stiff competition from road transport, Jersey Railway was sold to the States, which began demolishing the track.
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Great Western steamer sinks at Noir Montaise
- The steamer Ibex struck Noir Montaise rock, close to Jersey, at 20 knots and sank. The passengers were evacuated.
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