Producer | director
Drama doc | History
Quintinshill
BRITAIN'S DEADLIEST RAIL DISASTER
Two RTS Scotland 2016 nominations:
Best History Programme and Winner Best Post Prod: Editing (for Joe Spiers)
Neil Oliver unlocks the mystery surrounding the worst rail disaster in Britain:
On the 22nd May 1915 at Quintinshill, just north of the Anglo-Scottish border, two high-speed train collisions caused a devastating fire that killed almost 230 people. Neil looks at what happened on the day and then at the inquests, inquiries and trials that followed.
The two signalmen on duty were imprisoned for causing the catastrophe and the subsequent deaths but their harsh sentences proved controversial and a campaign was started to free the men. Now some believe there may have been a cover up to prevent the government and railway company also being found responsible.
Using dramatic reconstructions and contemporary reports, Neil Oliver shines a fresh light on the case against the two imprisoned men. Advocates, signalmen and experts also help him find out why the disaster at Quintinshill was so deadly and carefully lay out the evidence that was never put in their defence.
Quintinshill:
Britain’s Deadliest Rail Disaster
1 x 60′ Drama doc with Finestripe Productions for
BBC2 Scotland, BBC2, BBC4 and BBC Worldwide
First TX BBC TWO Scotland 20th May 9pm 2015
First Network TX BBC FOUR 21st May 9pm 2015
Camera ALAN McLAUGHLIN
Costume GRAHAM HUNTER
Make up GILLIAN JOHNSTON, KAT MORGAN
Special Effects ARTEM
Graphics PLAYDEAD
Design GEORGE MILLER
Research BECKY MARSHALL, KELLY MACHIN
Assistant Producers
ROSHAN SAMARASINGHE, ALEX LEITHEAD
Line Producer PHILIPPA FARNESE
Editor JOE SPEIRS
Executive Producers
EWAN ANGUS, KATIE LANDER
Written, produced and directed by
IAN LILLEY
“A story edited with real flair and with excellent pacing. The transitions between the very well done dramatic reconstructions and the documentary were seamless.”
RTS jury