This paper describes experiments where the bending of beams results in two or more fractures being formed, apparently simultaneously. This is explained in terms of the stress waves emitted by the initial fracture process. It is shown that three separate types of secondary fracture may occur as a result of the interaction between the stress pulses produced by the initial fracture and the loading stresses already present in the beam. In treating these problems it has been found helpful to use an analytical solution for the bending wave propagated when a semi-infinite beam, which is subjected to a constant bending moment, is suddenly unloaded at the free end. In modelling the longitudinal stress pulse produced by the fracture we have used a simplified model which assumes that the forcing function on the fracture plane is a force field equal to the resultant force acting on the unbroken portion of the fracture surface prior to the onset of fracture.