Darrell Pierre, 4 days before his death
Weekend over, back to the grindstone.
I dropped the ball a bit on this one as I gratefully received the inside story a few days before it appeared in the Gasjet, but since they’ve not really made an issue out of it let me take this opportunity to make one.
You may have read the somewhat apathetic Gasjet version, but it centres around an incident involving former Blackpool Corporation Transport tram driver Darrell Pierre.
Cutting a long story short, Darrell volunteered to drive One Man Operated trams and on the 22nd of July, 1980, due to points on the track being incorrectly left open, his southbound tram crossed on to the northbound line and collided with an oncoming tram: the first time this had ever happened in Blackpool. He received multiple injuries to his face and head requiring stitches, a misdiagnosed lower leg fracture and permanent walking and movement pain causing frequent hospital visits.
Derek Hyde, the general manager of Blackpool Corporation Transport, saw fit to apportion 100% blame to Darrell for this incident, citing that he should have seen the points were set wrongly and ignoring the fact that the points were not set by Mr Pierre and he didn’t choose to have this accident.
Darrell appealed this decision but his head-on collision was met with full on collusion: his appeal was denied in a closed-management, self-preserving cover up by Derek Hyde, Tony Depledge (the Traffic Manager) and David Eaves (the Operations Manager).
Tony Depledge OBE, former BCT Traffic Manager and current EU-Committee of the International Association of Public Transport chairman
Darrell was then denied an office job and bullied into taking on a job for which his physical condition was not suited: bus conducting.
In 1982 Darrell decided to take Blackpool Corporation Transport to the Crown Court. This was effectively taking the council itself to court, because BCT was wholly owned and operated by the council.
Following numerous safety recommendations, the judge reversed the BCT blame game and slapped them down with 80% blame for the incident. Neither Depledge, Eaves nor Hyde attended the hearing, though, perhaps because it was better for them to say nothing than to be seen as perverting the course of justice. Darrell was awarded a small payout for his troubles, but cash was the last thing on his mind.
The judge said that it was “an overwhelming likelihood” that the points had been left open by mistake by a young conductor on a tram driven by Jean Cox. BCT claimed that Cox “could not be tracked down”, which is funny since she’s currently their Customer Services Team Officer (sounds like a non-job if ever there was one).
Darrell Pierre’s son, Stephen, telephoned Jean Cox. She was pleasant enough until she was asked who the conductor was, at which point she put the phone down, stating that she was “terminating the conversation”. Why would she do this, you might ask. Why would she want to keep the identity of the conductor a secret and prevent justice being done?
Why was the crash scene quickly sterilised with no fingerprinting or proper Police enquiries done?
Why would tram inspector “Big” Bill Beardall, who was on the scene and could identify the conductor that changed the points as being the one on the tram preceding that being driven by Darrell Pierre, suddenly get transferred elsewhere and not even hear about any court cases never mind get asked to attend?
Because at the time, most conductors were children of high ranking Council officials working during university breaks.
Many former BCT employees have stated what a thoroughly decent bloke Darrell was and it has been suggested that in pinning 100% blame on to him, management took advantage of his position as an honest, respectful and courteous member of staff that was not involved in any boisterous staff cliques that could instil an uprising against the management.
Former BTS Operations Director Cllr David Eaves
The story doesn’t end here though. In 1984, Darrell was driving a single decker tram, stopped to allow a passenger to get off and was promptly rammed by another tram. There were and are safety rules, of course, that state that a tram should not come within approximately 80 metres of the tram in front. The tram driver had blatently failed to adhere to those rules but he was a union representative and received no punishment nor disciplinary action.
The impact threw Darrell Pierre forward into the windscreen, causing him to require a neck brace for many years. Once again BCT management – in particular the Operations Director and now Conservative councillor for Ansdell David Eaves – attempted to persecute Mr Pierre, accusing him of exaggerating his injuries and telling him he would arrange for him to see another specialist.
Eventually Blackpool Borough Council District Medical Officer ruled that Darrell Pierre was unfit to work due to ill health, BCT withdrew their erroneous claims and Darrell received a £10,000 out of court payout.
Interestingly, Councillor David Eaves is behind the revamp of a tram shelter in Andsell, stating that it’s a “piece of history that should be preserved,” and that he hopes “the shelter will once again become an attraction to residents who remember the days when the shelter was used.”
Former BTS senior administrator Cllr Norman Hardy
Funny how he’s all for keeping tram history firmly in our minds with projects like this, yet when it comes to something that might implicate him as perverting the course of justice, being morally corrupt and a sad excuse for a human being he’s happy for evidence to be destroyed or tainted, witnesses to be hidden and documentation to be “mislaid” under his watch. It’s not for me to say whether or not you should vote for this man, but I know I wouldn’t.
Stephen Pierre has, fortunately, been unrelenting in his pursuit of closure. Communication with current Chief Executive of Blackpool Council Steve Weaver, Executive Director for Business Services Julian Kearsley and Conservative Council Leader Peter Callow has proven to be a case of who can pass the buck the fastest. Each time the matter was referred to the current Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services, Mr Trevor Roberts, who denies knowing about anything and references previous communication like a pre-programmed parrot.
The current Mayor of Blackpool, Labour councillor for Hawes Side ward Norman Hardy, has also been in receipt of communication from Stephen. This was passed to the legal department in the council and a generic letter was returned, offering no progress on the matter. Norman Hardy is a former Blackpool Corporation Transport employee and in 1980 was a senior administrator with them. I’m not suggesting he was involved, of course.
Still, though, documentation as to the identity of the conductor that is alleged to have changed the points on the track causing Darrell Pierre’s tram to suffer a head on collision remains a closely guarded secret known only by few people. Everybody involved has been silent or silenced. The Council have still refused to apologise for wrongly appointing 100% of the blame upon Darrell Pierre’s shoulders, and this all that his son asks for.
What a terrible thing to happen. I do know about the tram shelter revamp at Ansdell. The local civic society offered to pay (at least part if not all) to do it up a bit and get it used properly rather than vandalised. It was between a year or two ago as far as I can remember. The council were crying poverty but before the actual closure of the pool I think. However the council refused the help from the Civic Society who ended up just doing the Blue Plaque on it. Estimates for the rennovation were put in at £10k though it would need council input for the actual cost.
Can I ask that you have checked yourself that this is the same David Eaves? And do you have a personal email address that you can put on here for me to send you a message off the board (philtheone@hotmail.com?)
Sure, phil at philtheone dot com, or if you prefer there’s a contact form if you go to Pages -> Contact Me at the top.
“This was passed to the legal department in the council and a generic letter was returned, offering no progress on the matter. Norman Hardy is a former Blackpool Corporation Transport employee and in 1980 was a senior administrator with them. I’m not suggesting he was involved, of course”
but Knobman Hardon is still a wanker, all the same!
I emailed him about something the other week, and still no reply. Useless.
David Eaves = COMPLETE CUNT.
With only 17 days to go you have just made it as a late entrant for Blog of the Year 2009!
This is a fabulous bit of work and totally encompasses the struggle for truth being faced by the Pierre family who I know personally.
Yes Frustrated, it is the same David Eaves.
I don’t know how people like David Eaves, Tony Depledge, Jean Cox or Norman Hardy can sleep at night.
No one is suggesting that they are directly responsible for what happened to Darrell but they are certainly guilty of collusion.
Nobody is making them remain silent.
Who are they protecting?
Why is the Identity of the gaurd who left the points open a secret today just as it was nearly 30 years ago???
All the tram anoraks (no offence meant!) could tell you every detail about the trams down to the size of each nut and bolt used but NOBODY can say who the gaurd was???
Philtheone is the BLOG of the year,its time these evil men were brought to account.
Could it be because he was black?
I know I hate PC but I dont agree with racial prejudice either.
I was thinking the same myself until I realised that these people probably have much bigger bank accounts than me! So, careful what you accuse them of.
Not sure they’d want to go to court on the issues I have mentioned though, since they’ve spent the last 30 years avoiding doing just that.
There is a group on Facebook for people to join and show their support:-
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168490946922
cheers, these council cunts deserve to get bubonic anal shingles.
“I don’t know how people like David Eaves, Tony Depledge, Jean Cox or Norman Hardy can sleep at night”
Quite easily they are sociopathic degenerates who by their very nature do not feel guilt nor remorse nor any empathy,typical politicians if you ask me.
Believe me if I had my way, I could easily wipe out one million scumbags in this country with significant ease, comfortable in the knowledge that I would be making life better for the rest of the poulation, and making the country a safer place for proper people.
Justice for Darrell Pierre! Let’s hope the National newspapers pick up on this!!
I can’t believe that these people can sleep at night. A MASSIVE COVER UP!!!
I remember this kind, gentle man and he did such a wonderful job. Why is it so hard to admit they are wrong? There is more to this than meets the eye….
David Eaves = COMPLETE CUNT
Post under one name please, not 4 different ones!
Always enlightening to hear of a pending victory for the underdog!!!!
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and comment on this worthy campaign. My Dad would be overwhelmed by the public response and support that I have received in the past few months. I had hoped this long over due pardon could have been achieved when I first approached Blackpool Council and Blackpool Transport Serivces with my investigation report in August 2009. My findings have been submitted in good faith with the manner and language that my Dad would have approved. I have tried to resolve this matter privately, amicably and without legal respresentation. Thankfully I have received a lot of professional support and have the truth on my side. May I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year with good health and happiness.
I hope Bill Beadall likes his new tumble dryer
Special Thanks to Philtheone very well presented! you have done us all proud
I have had the good fortune to know Stephen both personally and professionally and his endevours with this campaign are truly remarkable. I also had the pleasure to have met Darrell and I was able to discover the long lasting effect that this terrible ordeal had on him and his family. Stephen, being a virtual ‘expert’ concerning anything related to the Blackpool tramway repected his Father’s wishes not to persue this matter until he finally confided in him just months before his death. I am very thankful for the genuine support from those who, if it wasn’t for this campaign would be practical strangers and in the sme way I am troubled by the silence of those who would, until recently, be considered as close friends. I wish every success to Stephen in his quest, and I’m sure his passion for the truth and justice will prevail. A wonderfully dedicated man with an amazing drive.
Another masonic cover up. Their control of the Fylde is absolute.
I really don’t believe it is a masonic cover up. Jean Cox certainly ain’t a Mason!!!
But is she a wife of a mason or has she done a deal? Just because a woman is involved doesn’t mean there is no masonic influence.
Dear Frustrated I wasn’t there when it happened but from recent experience: When BTS introduced the Intoximeters Drink Wheel / Drink Calculator for Breath the first to fail the test was Assistant Operational Manager and he was not disciplined, but offered an early retirement !!!. Also the untouchables drivers who had drink driving offences on their driving licences were allowed to keep it secrets, kept their jobs and received promotion. This firm operate in secrecy you can call it whatsoever but I know it is far from fairness.
I wish to leave a comment in respect of my dad!
My dad was a great man, very hard working, polite, jovial, and a respected gentleman within the community.
I was only 4 years old when the accident took place. However what i do remember of the accident , is distinct memories of it being a very distressing time for both my late father and mother…
My dad was always energetic and happy before the accident. when the tragic accident happened our life as a familychanged somewhat. My dad became different, do you know why? He was different because he was in pain with his injuries, and was also suffering , which i believe to be, with post trumatic stress!
My dad was a great beliver in justice! and i never knew the full extent of the goings on, until january of this year 2009. He always kept this injustice to himself. However as a child he always told me to stay away from the trams, my naivety at the time thought ,this was because they were not safe, but since January of this year , i have known different i know the truth, why he didn’t want me near the trams. It was because of the accident and the wrong doings he had suffered,which he had only just recently disclosed to me.
My dad ever since i can remember has had permanently swollen feet and ankles, i always took him for new shoes at clarks outlet at tescos. He was actually only a size 8, however, because of his swollen feet and ankles, caused from the accident, we always had to buy a size 10 1/2 or even a size 11 with the widest fitting, can you believe! This was caused from the thrombosis that he endured. What upsets me is the fact that he then, had to bus conduct which worsened his injuries. He did his job despite his injuries, because he had a young large family to support. I know this would not happen today!! Only days before he died i accompanied him for the last pair of shoes we would ever buy together.
I could carry on writing many things about my late father, but the whole situation is too upsetting for me.
I have upmost respect for my brother Stephen Pierre , for having the the amazing guts to take on this very wortwhile campaign. Well done whatever the outcome. x
I HOPE MY DAD GETS THE POSTHOMUS APOLOGY THAT HE DESERVES.
R.I.P Dad love you and mum forever ,your both always in my heart, and your grandchildren x x x
A big Thank You to Philtheone readers, please keep up the good work! Join our facebook group here:- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168490946922 Expect an exciting new development Tuesday or Wednesday.
I am willing to stand up in court of law to be witness that Mr David Eaves (pictured above) a former Operations Director for Blackpool transport Services Ltd (Due to legal Restrictions I can not reveal all the facts on this website) grnerally I do not trust Mr David Eaves.
I had never heard this sorry tale before. Strange since I worked for Blackpool transport for 11 years…( very well kept secret ) no doubt.
However the shelter is no surprise to me. Its a very useful thing to have if you happen to live in Ansdell, it keeps you dry on rainy days on your trips to the boozer and back.. I wonder who lives around Ansdel ??????
Joe you are correct in saying “(very well kept secret ) no doubt.” The question is: Is it the only secret I wonder?
http://www.pardon4darrell-pierre.com
The drink driving isue was considered a serious breach. In the 1980′s before you had to have a car licence to drive trams. Blackpool Transport would turn a ‘blind eye’ to certain bus drivers who were convicted of drink driving chrages. These particluar drivers should have been put back bus/tram conducting, ubntil thier driving ban was over. Several were instead alowed to drive trams on the QT. Some argued that the tram track was seperate from the public road so it was okay!! . Nonsense, any driver who was convicted of drink driving offences should NOT have been allowed to then drive a Public Service vehicle whether bus or tram. The trams had to leave Depot via a Public Highway shared road space, also the trams meet share the the road outside the Metropole Hotel North Prom and Lord Street Fleetwood. Blackpool Transport also in the 1980′s had a number of officials who had been promoted former drivers. They were nick named the ‘professionals’ xI will refrian from explaining as to why they were seceretly known in this way. Lets say they were a few and freely able to buy a rounds of drinks ‘top shelf’ at the former Charlies Bar . I will let the reader form thier own conlclusion . Blackpool Transport Managers and Mr Tony Depledge should be totally ashamed of how they treated my late father. This company operates very much in a ‘boys club’ manner. In my dads case it seems that the ‘black box’ with the 1980 accident was purposely lost and has been found some 29 years later! It was simply a case of blame the ‘black man’ As alway in the fullness of time The truth remains the same… Thanks for your support. Stephen Pierre
Spot on Stephen. What concerns me that the people behind the cover up are: Justice of the peace, councillor and OBE !!!!.
“In short short, Darrell Operated tram on the 22nd of July, 1980, & due to points on the track were incorrectly left open by tram crew which terminated at Pleasure Beach.”
I say to Blackpool Borough Council, the owner of Blackpool Tramway, surely on just this piece of evidence is enough to grant a Posthumous Pardon for the late Mr Darrell Pierre from Blackpool Council, owner of Blackpool Tramway.
http://www.pardon4darrell-pierre.com
We now have obtained further film footage of the crash scene which clearly identifies member of staff, and Police present. Any fresh information will be treated with the strictest confidence ,should you wish to offer your help.
The truth or an apology is well over due and is considered the appropriate course of action for closure. Thanks for your kind words.
Just read your site and noticed this line:
This case of injustice and discrimination
By “discrimination”, my I ask to what you are referring?
Zim, A man of your integrity and knowledge of public transport and the Blackpool tramway should know perectly well that this was terrible form of discrimintation. The overall consesus shared by many has concluded that my late father was the only black emploee of around 800 fulltime staff and he was placed in a disadvantaged position in the 1980′s with a family of six children. Your expereince should also tell you that it was clearly wrong for the manangement of BCT to claim they “could not track down” the last conductor who had operated the points. My father narrowly escaped being crushed to death by an oncoimg tram that was travelling at a greater speed. A driver who had less than 10 days experience. The overwhelming evidence proves this. My father was carried away on a strecther and the disgraceful closed rank behaviour began. It is clear that the evasive behaviour shown by those those associated to BTS past and present speakes volumes. Like many I appreciate the heritage of the Blackpool Tramway, but an apology for the way my father was treated is well over due. When I spoke to Jean Cox on the 16th July 2009 I got the impression she of regret of what happend to my father. She accepted he was always polite and respectful to her. I guess she was advised many years ago that the company was dealing with the matter. I shall allow you to form your own conclusion as to why I have reffered to the term “discrimination” May I ask you a perectly honest and open question. Why do you think my father received 100% blame, Why do you think the conductor involved could not be tracked down” and finally why do you think it is taking so long for the authorities to apologise? I look forward to hearing from you.
Zim has not answered my simple and straight forward questions he often has a great deal to say relating to the tramway. The evasive and silent behaviour by those associated to BTS speaks volumes….
I see what you mean Zim – there’s no evidence so far that points to discrimination as opposed to “just” injustice. (though this doesn’t mean there isn’t any).
Sadly justice is very hard, if not impossible, to get when people start closing ranks and lying their heads off and destroying evidence to protect themselves – something very present in politics and industry now.
BLackpool Corporation Transport, could not track down the conductor who last operated the points minutes before the crash. BCT were aware and they did know the name of the tram driver.
“It’s not rocket science” How BCT could not track down the conductor responsible?
Simply because he was an easy target. How many investigations were carried out? and where are the records? Manchester Evening news 23rd of July 1980 Police at Blackpool are inestigating how two trams involved in a head on collision at the resort last night came to be on the same track. A Police spoken said: ” we are investigating how these points came to be moved becasue that is crucial to how the accident occurred” Where are the Police investigation records held in 2010? Where were the Police records held between 1980-1982. Surley a thorough investigation should mean thorough. It is uncomprehensible to suggest the tram crew who had last used the points minutes before the smash were NOT interviewed? The BCT investigation and unjust discilplinary was headed by Mr Tony Depledge OBE. As Earl Spencer famoulsy quoted at Diana’s Funeral words to the effect of “my sister did not need a Royal Title to be loved by many”.Mr Darrell Pierre my precious dad was treated like a piece of dog excrement, and that is putting it politely! Over the past six months I have been told a great deal of evasive and erronues explanations by both BTS and Blackpool Council. “much of the company records were incinerated in 1986″ How did respected author John Woodman in 2007 compile all his information for his 3 volume comprehensive books Tribute to Rigby Road works? I note that volume one and volume three are available, volume two is not why? Is it due to information regarding my dad was printed and now withdrawn? How can you compile a book covering 1954-1986 and NOT feature or mention the biggest crash in the history of Blackpool Tramway? Most of the local fylde coast tram and bus enthusiast fraternity know fully well that the BCT held records dadting back back to year dot DID exist in 2009. This true story of ‘concealing circmustances’ has been hussed up for far too long. I draw some comfort from the true fact my dad passed away a respectable dignified gentlemen. Those who are associated with this tangled web of ‘skulduggery’ should hold their heads in shame. I heard an interesting account and possible other theory as to why the guard was protected and a wall of silence has formed. Was this guard under age at the time of the crash? did this guard have a secret ‘Rainbow Connection’ to learn more about this term think of Dorothy and Judy Garland. I hold crash film footage which clearly identifies all the senior officials present. One particular former BCT employee stood out. He was one of the fewer openly gay ‘colourful characters’ who I am told had a few ‘tell tale’ stories ‘up his sleave’. Long before PC and equality rights BCT had a few members of staff who were secretly having same sex affails whilst claiming to be hetrosexual. ‘Being ‘a friend of dorothy’s in the 1970′s and 80′s working in a transport environment was a far cry from what it is today? You had to be tough and a strong character. Retired staff have said allegedly one male senior member of BCT staff in particular had a number of closet sexual encounters with platform staff. This may not be true and could have been exagerated ‘canteen gossip’ However was this young conductor a friend of ‘Dorothy’ and had connections in high places? Blackpool now has a large openly Gay and Lesbian community and thanks to the legendary Bazil Newby and paved the way for the LGB rights to be openly recognised. The ‘pink pound’ in Blackpool is now a much welcome contribution to the local economy. Returning to the mystery of who the conductor was who failed to close those points and why he was protected is interesting. The Darrell Pierre campaign group have offered a substancial reward to any one who has information leading to the correct identification of this elusive conductor. My dad carried the reconition, long term injuries to his grave. He was never officaly informed by BCT who this conducor was, He also never given the opportunity to see copies of the ‘investigations’ that were carried out. In November 2009 Blackpool council claimed to have ‘no record’ of this controversial crash. Yet in December 2009 a Blackpool Council spokesmen claim for BBC TV an independent investigation was carried out, if so without documents how do they know this?, and by whom was this investigation undertaken? One senior BTS inspector recognised me in Blackpool a few months ago and he jmade a joke and said “you should be the Mayor of Blackpool” I asked him why and he said because your F*****ing nightmare! Many of the senior inspectors can recall the “4 eyed” son of (0465) He went on to say that the whole episode surrounding all this was not right. Please support the pardon4darrell-pierre.com campaign. I particulary welcome mature members of the Gay community who may remember this crash to contact me. Thankfully the term ‘Dorothy’ and other homophobic remarks are no longer accepted in the work place. However I think regarding the top secret sensitivity surrounding of this crash there could well be a ‘Rainbow Connection’ …
After talking to Stephen in Devon at the weekend, it is so frustrating that such cover-ups go on. When a cover-up happens, it protects people with power, people with money and as I said to Stephen, as he obviously knows, this is so very wrong. Stephen wants the name of his father cleared and he will not stop until justice is served and his father is completely exhonourated, and I think this is so comendable.