"When it opened in 1864, Charing Cross station had a large iron-and-glass arch, similar to that at St Pancras station (and at the time Cannon Street), however, on 5 December 1905, the roof collapsed during a long-term maintenance project, killing six people. The collapse occurred when one of the tie rods holding both sides of the arch in tension snapped, and shortly afterwards, the roof collapsed, pulling down a side wall and falling onto the concourse and four trains on the platforms."
"Newspapers of the time reported on the death of Alfred Birch, 37 a painter who lived in Fulham; Willie Adams Coates, aged 38, an assistant advertisement inspector who worked for W.H. Smith and Sons; William Blackwell, 24, a plasterer from Battersea; George Austen, aged 24, an engineer's labourer from Catford; Thomas Richards, aged 39, a carpenter living near Euston station; and Alfred Francis Ferguson Jones, aged 38, a painter from Bermondsey."
"Graham, who lives in Kent, visited Charing Cross on Friday 5th December with his family. Graham contacted station staff to see if a memorial plaque could be placed at the station in memory of the six people who died. And one has now been installed on the north wall, near the ticket office."
Charing Cross station opened in 1864 with a large iron-and-glass arch. On 5 December 1905 a tie rod snapped during a long-term maintenance project, causing the arch and roof to collapse, pulling down a side wall and striking the concourse and four trains. Six workers were killed, including Alfred Birch, Willie Adams Coates, William Blackwell, George Austen, Thomas Richards, and Alfred Francis Ferguson Jones. Eight other workmen were seriously injured and taken to hospital, and nineteen others suffered minor injuries. A great-grandson of one victim, Graham Jones, researched the incident and arranged for a commemorative plaque now installed on the north wall near the ticket office.
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