![opoyicentral](https://opoyi.com/wp-content/themes/opoyitheme/images/opoyi_6k77dlSYd.jpg)
Munich air disaster: The tragedy that killed eight Man United players in 1958
An airplane crash in Munich on February 6, 1958 claimed the lives of 23 including eight players of European football club Manchester United, staff members and journalists. Today, the world observes the 64th anniversary of the tragedy.
An airplane crash in Munich on February 6, 1958 claimed the lives of 23 including eight players of European football club Manchester United, staff members and journalists. Today, the world observes the 64th anniversary of the tragedy.
Also read: Pathetic joke: Man Utd fans, players fume at VAR decision on handball goal
Dubbed as the Busby Babes for their sporting success, the team was returning back to Manchester from a European Cup tie in Belgrade when their British European Airways plane halted in Munich. The aircraft, after refuelling, couldn’t take off due to some issue with the engine. It was snowing heavily.
Eager to keep the flight on schedule, a third take off attempt was made. But the plane couldn’t speed up due to a thick carpet of snow on the runway. Hence, it skidded and crashed in the fence surrounding the airport and into a house nearby.
Also read: ‘Get that head up’: United players console Elanga after FA Cup penalty miss
The plane and house caught fire before exploding.
Twenty passengers were killed immediately. Three died later in the hospital.
Some players like Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet and goalkeeper Harry Gregg were among those saved. The pilot James Thain survived but co-pilot Captain Kenneth Rayment died from his injuries five weeks later.
Also read | Pep Guardiola says he ‘struggled’ in relationship with Joao Cancelo
Fatalities
Manchester United players
Geoff Bent
Roger Byrne
Eddie Colman
Duncan Edwards
Mark Jones
David Pegg
Tommy Taylor
Liam “Billy” Whelan
Manchester United staff
Walter Crickmer – club secretary
Tom Curry – trainer
Bert Whalley – chief coach
Crew
Captain Kenneth Rayment
Tom Cable
Journalists
Alf Clarke
Donny Davies
George Follows
Tom Jackson
Archie Ledbrooke
Henry Rose
Frank Swift
Eric Thompson
Other passengers
Bela Miklos
Willie Satinoff
Related Articles
ADVERTISEMENT