[1] The passenger train involved was 1E79, the 10:05 service from Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough, formed of a Class 45 diesel locomotive No.

The freight train was 6E85, the 09:00 service from Stanlow Oil Refinery, Ellesmere Port to Leeds, composed of a Class 47 locomotive No.

Following the telephone conversation, the signalman noticed the express train passed by the signal at full speed, with no attempt to apply the brakes.

[1] The force of the collision threw the rearmost tanker to the side, but the next two wagons were thrown into the air, with one falling back onto the passenger locomotive.

The wagons were badly damaged and escaping fuel oil was ignited by the hot exhaust gases of the locomotive, setting fire to it and the leading two coaches.