On September 15, 1830, MP William Huskisson became one of the first widely reported railway fatalities when he was struck by Stephenson's Rocket at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, dying that evening after his leg was crushed.

The world's first VIP railway passenger was killed by the world's first passenger train. 🚂 . . . On September 15, 1830, MP William Huskisson stepped onto the tracks at the Liverpool and Manchester Railway opening to greet the Duke of Wellington. Stephenson's Rocket, moving about 30 mph, crushed his leg. He died hours later — the debut ride's debut casualty.