The graveyard of twisted metal that litters 'UK's Bermuda Triangle' overlooking Manchester

Lee Grimsditch
·4-min read
Walkers pass by the remains of the aircraft which crashed killing all of its crew
Walkers pass by the remains of the aircraft which crashed killing all of its passengers and crew -Credit:AFP via Getty Images


The Peak District is known for its natural beauty, including waterfalls and caves. However, it also holds the remnants of a historical plane crash in an area dubbed the 'UK's Bermuda Triangle'.

This area of the Dark Peak on the edge of the Peak District is often said to be the UK's Bermuda Triangle - due to the number of crashes that have taken place there. Nestled in the hills above Glossop, just beyond Greater Manchester's borders, lie the remains of the infamous Bleaklow Bomber.

This aircraft, known as 'Over Exposed', had previously been used to photograph nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll. It was a modified version of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, the type of bomber that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

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However the plane met its tragic end here in 1948, claiming the lives of all 13 passengers on board. The wreckage still exists near Higher Shelf Stones on the moorland plateau, not far from Snake Pass.

Despite being a popular attraction for visitors, many locals remain unaware of the wreckage's existence. Those who venture slightly off the beaten path will find recognisable pieces of the aircraft, including parts of the engines, windows, and fuselage.

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Small wooden crosses and a memorial plaque mark the site, serving as a poignant reminder of the tragedy that occurred over seven decades ago. The ill-fated plane was a US Air Force B-29 aircraft that crashed during a routine flight while descending through cloud cover.

US Air Force B-29 Superfortresses drop their bomb loads on a strategic target during the Korean conflict
US Air Force B-29 Superfortresses drop their bomb loads on a strategic target during the Korean conflict -Credit:Corbis via Getty Images

The aircraft was intended to land near Warrington, but it's believed that the pilot, thinking they were clear of the hills, began descending prematurely, their vision obscured by dense cloud. All 11 crew members and two military passengers perished in the crash.

The plane tore apart on impact, scattering debris over the hills with only the tail section remaining intact. The morning after the wreck, the bodies of the crew and passengers were recovered and taken to RAF Burtonwood.

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At the time of the crash, the aircraft was carrying $7,400 in wages for the airbase. The money survived the fire and was found at the crash site by military police.

The B-29 crash site on Bleaklow Moor in the Peak District
The B-29 crash site on Bleaklow Moor in the Peak District -Credit:Manchester Evening News

The B-29 Superfortress 'Over Exposed' isn't the only aircraft to have met its end on the Bleaklow Moors. There were eight plane crashes (including the B-29 Superfortress) on the moors between 1939 and 1956, claiming the lives of 50 people.

It's the sheer volume of tragedies that has led to this area of the Dark Peak being dubbed the 'UK's Bermuda Triangle". However, the number of plane losses has been put down to a combination of things - including the number of nearby air bases, rugged terrain and difficult weather conditions, making the area something of a hazardous zone for military aircraft in the early to mid-20th century.

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40 years later with much of the twisted wreckage still exposed around the site, a memorial was placed at the site with a plaque in memory of those who died in the Bleaklow Bomber crash. The memorial plaque reads 'It is doubtful the crew ever saw the ground'.

The wreckage lies a short walk from the Pennine Way over boggy moorland
The B-29 wreckage lies a short walk from the Pennine Way over boggy moorland -Credit:Manchester Evening News

There are a few routes to reach the plane crash site - either by walking along the Pennine Way from Snake Pass, or by taking this longer (but scenic) circular route from Old Glossop. Also worth visiting while you're on Bleaklow are the higher and lower 'shelf stones', a brief uphill walk from the crash site.

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These massive rocky ridges offer some of the finest views of the Peak District, overlooking Glossop and towards Manchester. The Higher Shelf Stones also marks the third-highest summit in the Peaks.

However, be aware - in wet conditions, the path to the summit (and to the Bleaklow Bomber) can become extremely marshy, making the footpath difficult to navigate. It's advisable to reserve this walk for a sunny week, or a crisp winter's day, rather than a typically drizzly one.

Does this story awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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