20.02.17
RAIB: Croydon tram driver had ‘lost awareness’ before fatal derailment
The driver of the fatal Sandilands junction tram accident in Croydon, London, had “lost awareness” before the carriage he was controlling derailed, killing seven people, the latest interim report from the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau has reported.
The late application of the brake and the absence of emergency braking going towards the tight left hand turn suggested that the driver, Alfred Dorris, the only member of staff on board, had lost awareness before the accident, although the RAIB is investigating other factors that may have played a part.
The report also indicated that the tram had been travelling at 46mph, faster than the 43.5mph that was initially thought before the accident occurred in a 13mph zone near the Sandilands stop in Croydon.
The findings also described how the victims were “ejected” out of the tram’s smashed windows, saying: “Of the seven passengers who died, one was found inside the tram; two were found partially inside the tram; three were found underneath the tram; and another was found on the track close to the tram.”
The new report also found that the number of passengers on board the tram was actually around 70, rather than the 60 that was initially suggested in the RAIB’s first interim report published on 16 November 2016.
Commenting on the report, London’s transport commissioner Mike Brown said: “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the tragic tram derailment and we continue to do all we can to offer our support.
“We continue to work with the RAIB and will take on board all recommendations from this and other investigations, including our own, that are underway.”
Brown also reassured the public that the TfL Sarah Hope phone line will remain available for those affected by the accident to provide counselling and support for the public.
Since the accident, the RAIB has issued urgent safety advice to Tram Operations Ltd and London Trams advising drivers to take measures to reduce the risk of trams approaching the Sandilands junction from New Addington. London Trams has also installed chevron warning signs on the curve and on other similar tight bends on the network as a precaution.
Other tram operators across the UK were also advised to introduce intermediate stepped speed restrictions in situations on the approach to curves, all operators who this was relevant to responded and introduced the speed restriction.
Looking to the future of the investigation, the RAIB said it will continue to investigate the sequence of events leading up to and during the incident, as well as the emergency response and the way the tram was driven leading up to its derailment.
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