It was then common for services from Hastings to Brighton to enter Eastbourne and reverse to carry on its journey.
On Monday, 25 August 1958, at 7:27 a.m., the 7:45 p.m. sleeper-car steam train originating from Glasgow "ran past the home signal at Eastbourne at danger.
The train had only started to leave when the 19:45 Glasgow to Eastbourne car sleeper service collided head on at about 25 miles per hour (40 km/h).
Driver Alfred Wembridge failed to see the home signal was set at 'danger' and drove straight through the points, into the path of the oncoming London Bridge service.
The enquiry noted that there was heavy rain in the area leading up to the accident although at the time of the incident this was reduced to a light drizzle as reported by many members of staff.