What is also astonishing is the number of air crashes there were in the 1950s and into the 1960s. The
Aviation Safety Database gives comprehensive details of aeroplane accidents. Flying is very much safer today, as is rail travel.
As someone mentioned the Lewisham accident later on in the 1950s, I'll add that another of my dad's work colleagues was involved in that one. He was, however, badly injured, he was pushed out of a window, and spent some time dangling upside-down by his feet, which were still trapped inside the carriage, until he was rescued. Several people near him didn't survive.