This tram overturned on Exe Bridge

This dramatic scene from 1917 captures the aftermath of a tram accident on Exe Bridge in Exeter. A crowd of onlookers gathers as a tram lies overturned on its side, its wheels exposed and passengers likely still reeling from the shock. Horse-drawn carts and uniformed personnel can be seen nearby, suggesting that emergency and recovery efforts were underway.

Incidents like this were rare but striking—especially during the First World War, when cities were under immense pressure. Trams were a vital means of transport, connecting people to work, markets, and military facilities. Wartime resource shortages, wear on infrastructure, and reduced maintenance may have contributed to such accidents.

This image captures more than just a crash; it reflects the fragility of public life during a time when war, hardship, and uncertainty loomed over every aspect of daily existence.

📷 Do you own vintage photographs of Exeter or other towns during wartime? Contribute to the memory of those years by uploading them to Oldpik.com.

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