Aberfan

A Story of Survival, Love and Community in One of Britain's Worst Disasters

In 1966, thousands of tons of coal tip waste slid down and crushed Aberfan’s primary school, killing 144 people, including 116 children. Gaynor Madgwick, aged 8, survived. She tells her own story and interviews other people affected. Updated edition to mark the 60th anniversary of the disaster.

On 21 October 1966, thousands of tons of coal tip waste slid down a mountainside and devastated the mining village of Aberfan. The black mass crashed through the local primary school, where pupils were celebrating the last day of term. 144 people were killed – including 116 schoolchildren.

Gaynor Madgwick was there. She was 8 years old and was severely injured. Her brother and sister were in classrooms either side of her. Both were killed.

In Aberfan, Gaynor tells her own story and also speaks to other people affected by that day – from the bereaved and the rescuers, to the police and royalty. She explores the nature of courage, grief and faith, to create both a moving personal story and a definitive account of the events that shook the the world.

Updated new edition to mark the 60th anniversary in 2026 of a disaster that a whole nation mourned.