Croydon tram 'moving at more than three times the speed limit'

The tram that derailed in Croydon last week, killing seven people, was going at approximately 44mph - more than three times the 12mph speed limit for that section of the track, according to an interim report from investigators.

The packed vehicle came off the track as it rounded a tight corner at about 6.10am last Wednesday.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has found no evidence of problems with the track or the tram's braking system. "From the initial inspection it does not appear that there were any track defects or obstructions on the track that could have contributed to the derailment," a source told the London Evening Standard.

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The tram's driver, Alfred Dorris, was arrested at the scene and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter. The Standard says the inquiry is understood to be considering whether Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, south-east London, was asleep or had lost consciousness. He has been released on bail until May.

In addition to the seven fatalities, another eight passengers were seriously injured.

Investigators are examining the contents of a "black box" data recorder on the tram. The interim review reveals that Dorris did brake before the tram entered the bend, but this was only sufficient to reduce its speed from 50mph to 43.5mph.

The Guardian reports that some expected evidence has not been available to investigators. "Although the tram was fitted with forward-facing and internal CCTV cameras, the equipment was apparently not working at the time of the crash," it says.

RAIB is urging First Group, which operates the Croydon service, and Transport for London to take measures to reduce the risk of trams travelling "at an excessive speed" once the line reopens.

Tram accidents on this scale are rare in Britain, but the Guardian says MPs now want the RAIB to consider whether safety systems that exist on national rail and tube networks, such as automatic braking, should be implemented for trams as well.

Croydon tram driver arrested after seven die in crash

10 November

Police are questioning the driver of a tram that overturned in Croydon, south London, yesterday, killing seven people and injuring at least 50 others.

The tram was crowded with rush-hour passengers when it derailed on a sharp bend near the Sandilands stop at 6.13am. Seven people are now confirmed to have died, up from the five initial fatalities. A total of 51 people were taken to hospital from the scene.

Police arrested the 42-year-old male driver, from Beckenham, on Wednesday evening on suspicion of manslaughter.

Accident investigators said the tram had been going at "significantly higher speed than is permitted" at the time of the derailment.

"Usually, as you come out the tunnel, you feel the brakes, but I didn't seem to at all," passenger Kevin Snow told the BBC.

The overturned tram had skidded on its side "for eight to ten seconds", he added: "Everyone was screaming and shouting, a lot of people were injured, lots couldn't move."

Several passengers were trapped in the overturned carriages for up to two hours as emergency services, including 22 ambulance crews and eight fire engines, battled to get control of the situation, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Robin Smith, of the British Transport Police, confirmed detectives were investigating whether the driver had been asleep, but said this was one of a "number of factors" that could account for the derailment.

Another line of inquiry being pursued is whether the driver could have passed out for a medical reason, as happened in the case of Glasgow bin-lorry driver Harry Clarke, who killed six pedestrians in 2014 after blacking out at the wheel.

The Rail Accident Investigation Bureau is continuing to investigate the incident, which is "the first fatal tram crash in Britain for nearly 60 years", says the Telegraph.

Five people dead and 50 injured after tram derails in Croydon

9 November

Five people died and more than 50 others have been taken to hospital with injuries after a tram overturned in Croydon, south London, this morning, police say.

The Rail Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the cause of the crash, which happened near Sandilands tram stop at 6.13am.

A spokesman for St George's Hospital in Tooting said it was treating at least 20 patients, of whom four are "seriously injured".

British Transport Police said: "One person has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently in police custody."

Witness Hannah Collier told The Guardian she saw people being carried away on stretchers. "I heard a massive crash at about 6.15am, then heard shouting, then the emergency services arrived. I'd say there are roughly 20-30 vehicles there now. Then they started bringing up the casualties, some very seriously injured," she said.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said his "thoughts are with all those involved in the incident" and that he was "in contact with emergency services and TfL, who are working extremely hard to get the situation under control and treat those who have been injured".