August 23, 1944
Freckleton, Lancashire, England
A Consolidated B-24 Liberator of the United States Army Air Forces crashes due to a storm, killing 61 including 38 children

The aircraft had been flying over Lancashire, England when a storm with 60 mph winds hit. The plane’s crew likely underestimated the severity of the storm until it was too late and struck several buildings including houses, the Sad Sack Snack Bar (an off-base bar for English and American servicemen), and the Freckleton Holy Trinity School which possessed an infant wing, leaving no survivors. 52 people died instantly while another 9 died of their injuries in the hospital.

Other crime stories from today:
1305: The execution of William Wallace (2017)
1931: Unusual Suicide Device (graphic)(2017)
1912: 4-year-old disappears, “found” in another state (2018)

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Today in Horror History: August 23