On the 8th January 1989, at 8.25 p.m., a Boeing 737-400 aircraft owned and operated by British Midland crashed onto the westward embankment of the Ml motorway at Kegworth. There were a total of 126 people on board, consisting of 8 crew members, 117 passengers, and 1 baby. Out of the total number of people, 47 were killed, 5 had minor injuries, and 74 were seriously injured. Seven-month-old Ryan McCallion was among them, shielded by his mother. He ended up trapped under several bodies. Little Ryan made a full recovery, but his mother Ruth was not so lucky. She died in hospital three weeks later, shortly before she was due to return home. Other victims included a 55-year-old Belfast woman, whose husband survived, and a 37-year-old Italian man, whose fiancée identified him by an identity bracelet she had given him. A Northern Ireland Policewoman who lost both her parents identified her mother by the gold and opal ring she had given her as a Christmas present. Her parents, Ann and Brian Chivers, had been visiting friends in England and were expected to reach their home in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland by 9.30 that night. Identification of those who tragically died in the crash was carried out with detailed descriptions, including any distinguishing marks, such as scars and tattoos, as well as dental records and fingerprints.

The aircraft was shuttling between London Heathrow and Belfast. The flight landed safely at Heathrow Airport at 6.45 p.m after completing the first shuttle flight. It took off again for Belfast at 7.52 p.m. At 8.05 p.m., the flight crew began to experience moderate to severe vibration, accompanied by a burning smell and smoke. As the captain, Kevin Hunt, realised the severity of the situation, he took control of the aircraft from the auto-pilot and disengaged the automatic throttle. After noticing the vibration and smoke, the two pilots ran through a series of diagnostics, which all pointed to a problem in the right engine. Twenty seconds after the initial vibration was felt, the captain gave instructions to his co-pilot, David McClelland to reduce the throttle on the right engine. This quickly stopped the vibration and smoke. The engine was shut down and an emergency message was transmitted. Captain Hunt stated he would be carrying out an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport. The unfortunate reality was that the right engine had not been malfunctioning; the problem had been with the left engine. With one engine out and the other not working properly, the pilots did their best to keep the aircraft flying in the direction of the East Midlands Airport. However, this was impossible, and the plane tragically crashed 900 metres short of the runway, on the westward embankment of the M 1 motorway. One set of wheels had fallen off, and had landed in the central reservation of the motorway. The aircraft had broken off telegraph poles and trees in the field of Molehill Farm on the eastern side of the motorway, causing significant damage. Fortunately, no vehicles on the motorway were hit, and no-one travelling on the Ml was injured. As soon as the news broke, residents from Kegworth rushed to the scene, and dozens of people helped rescue and comfort the injured passengers. Many residents accompanied the injured to hospital, and stayed with them until their own relatives or other support arrived. No-one who was in Kegworth on the night of 8th January 1989 will ever forget what happened. New friendships were formed and old bonds strengthened on that cold January night. The emergency services were soon on the scene - police, fire and ambulances, helicopters overhead, soldiers. The Ml motorway was closed for an entire week to investigate the plane crash, and to make arrangements for the plane to be removed from the site by lorry. Although the pilots were criticised for shutting down the wrong engine in the official accident report and were sacked from the British Midland in January 1991, the villages of Kegworth expressed their thanks to the pilots who saved their village from becoming another Lockerbie. The pilots were heroes in the eyes of the villagers, and will always be remembered for their quick thinking and bravery. The pilot Kevin Hunt, who was seriously injured in the crash, was praised for his courage and skill by those in the community, which enabled him to steer the stricken aircraft clear of their homes.

Soon after the disaster, the Ml was widened from three to four lanes. The Parish Council arranged for the soil from the Ml embankment, where the aircraft came to rest, to be removed and placed in Kegworth Cemetery. This soil forms the base for the memorial garden. On top of this is a large stone, and upon this stone is engraved the names of all those who died.

Kenneth Brydson, a retired coroner from the village, came up with the idea to plant a tree memorial to the forty-sevenpeople who died in the crash, the courage of the pilot Kevin Hunt and the rescuers, and to Thomas Moore - Ireland's greatest poet. Brydson thought the tree could serve as a reminder of the tragedy, as well as a tribute to those who lost their lives, and to those who risked their lives to save others.

The idea of creating a memorial was sparked when Mr Brydson heard that a pine tree which overlooked the crash site, known as Tom Moore's tree, was dying. Moore is said to have composed some of his best works while living in the village for eleven months in 1812, including Irish Meleodies, Lalla Rookh and The Epicurean. He decided to move to Kegworth so that he could live in a house on London Road, near his benefactor, Lord Moira, who lived in the nearby Donington Hall. Not only were most victims Irish, but also Donington Hall was the headquarters of British Midland. The dying tree, which was about 200 yards from the site of the crash, overlooked the scene. Mr Brydson thought it would be a nice gesture to plant a new tree, where people could sit and reflect on the tragic events of January 8, 1989. Kegworth Parish Council not only agreed with Mr Brydsons idea, but also decided to put up a plaque and bench alongside the replacement tree.

The memorial is situated at the very top of Kegworth Cemetery on Whatton Road, near the heart of the village. The monument consists of several engraved stones. These stones list all 47 names of those lost in the disaster. As well as this, the monument provides information about the disaster, a dedication from the people of Kegworth, and a Bible verse taken from Romans chapter 8, verses 38 and 39.

In addition, there is seating around the back of the main stone for private contemplation, away from the view of the main cemetery.

There are other memorials in the village commemorating the event, including a plaque on the Ashby Road bridge above the M1 motorway, close to where the plane came down; and a memorial bench, also near the scene, to commemorate the 30th anniversary.