This Month In History: The Bradford Tram Crash, 31st July 1907

July 2025 Edition

In the early years of the 20th century, Bradford was a thriving industrial city. Its steep hills and cobbled streets were traversed by electric trams - symbols of modernity and civic progress. But on the final day of July in 1907, a tragic accident would cast a long shadow over the city’s transport history.

On the morning of 31st July 1907, Tramcar No. 210 of Bradford City Tramways was travelling down Church Bank, the city’s steepest incline leading into Forster Square. During its descent, the tram’s front axle fractured, causing the driver to lose control. The brakes failed to slow the vehicle, which sped downhill before overturning violently at the bottom of the slope.

Contemporary reports describe the aftermath as chaotic. In some cases, wooden panels had to be broken apart to free trapped passengers. The driver and conductor escaped with minor injuries, but a passer-by lost a leg, and many on board suffered serious harm. Although early newspaper accounts reported no fatalities, later sources indicated that 18 people were injured, two of them fatally - though reports at the time varied.

At The Bradford Police Museum, we hold a photograph documenting the immediate aftermath of the crash, showing the wrecked tram lying on its side - a stark image of the destruction caused.

The tragedy drew national attention and an inquest highlighted the need for stricter safety protocols, better maintenance, and improved driver training. In the months that followed, changes were made to tramcar design and operational procedures across the system. The 1907 Bradford tram crash remains one of the most significant events in the city’s public transport history. While it marked a moment of tragedy, it also served as a catalyst for change, reminding us of the risks of early mechanised travel and the lives forever altered on that summer morning in July.