Croydon crash tram that claimed seven lives hit bend at 43.5mph in a 12.5mph limit

Seven people were killed when the tram flipped on its side and crashed
BBC/ITN

The Croydon disaster tram was being driven at almost four times the permitted speed when it crashed killing seven passengers, investigators revealed today.

An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the packed tram was travelling at 43.5mph as it rounded a tight corner at about 6.10am last Wednesday.

The speed limit for the bend is 12.5mph.

The report also found there was “no malfunctioning of the braking system” and no track failure on the tram, which was being driven by Alfred Dorris.

A source told the Standard: “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.”

Tragedy: tributes laid for the victims of the Croydon tram crash
PA

Six men and a woman died and 51 people were injured, some suffering life-changing injuries, when the two-carriage tram flipped onto its side near the Sandilands junction.

It is understood the inquiry is considering whether Mr Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, was asleep or had lost consciousness. The contents of a “black box” data recorder on the tram were downloaded by investigators.

He was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed until next May.

Emergency crews and engineers at the scene in the aftermath of the crash (Steve Parsons/PA )
Steve Parsons/PA

Passengers said he told them he had “blacked out”.

He has been working for the tram operator for eight years, according to parent company First Group.

The report reveals that the driver did brake prior to entering the bend, but this was “only sufficient” in reducing its speed from 50mph to 43.5mph.

Investigators believe that “around 60” people were on board at the time, with eight being seriously injured – more than thought. Seven others died in the crash, which happened in “dark and rainy conditions”.

The report reveals that the “black box” recorder was working at the time of the crash but on-board CCTV was not. The tram slid for about 25m after derailing.

It said that the Croydon tram system operates on “line of sight” principles, with drivers being required to check that the route ahead is clear. A 20kmph (12.5mph) speed restriction sign was passed about 30 metres before the derailment point.

The RAIB issued urgent safety advice to TfL and the private tram operator to implement measures “to reduce the risk of trams approaching Sandilands Junction from the direction of New Addington at an excessive speed”.

Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, Simon French, said: “On behalf of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, I would like to send my condolences to those who have been injured and the families of those who died in this tragic accident. They will want to know the cause of the accident, and we will be in contact with them to keep them updated throughout our investigation, which will take some months to complete.

“Our interim report sets out what we found during our site examination and in the days that followed. The tram was travelling at 70km/h (43.5 mph) on a curve with a speed limit of 20km/h (12.5 mph). We have found no evidence of track defects or obstructions and our initial investigation does not indicate any malfunction of the tram’s braking system.

“We have issued urgent safety advice to reduce the risk of trams approaching Sandilands Junction at excessive speed.

“Our ongoing detailed investigation will now look at the wider context of the accident, including the sequence of events, the way the tram was driven, the infrastructure and how people received their injuries. We will also be looking into previous occurrences of over-speeding in this area and underlying management issues.

“Our final report will include recommendations to reduce the likelihood and consequences of similar events occurring in the future.”

As Transport for London offered to pay all funeral costs, Sadiq Khan said lessons must be learned from the “horrific incident”.

At City Hall, Mr Khan read out each of the victim’s names as he said it was vital to improve the safety of the network.

Victim Mark Smith, pictured with his fiance Indre Novikovaite and their son
BTP

He said the “horrific incident” had been “my worst day since becoming Mayor” as he paid tribute to the emergency services at his monthly question time.

The victims were Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Logan, 52, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, and Robert Huxley, 63, all from New Addington, and Mark Smith, 35 and Donald Collett, 62, both from Croydon.

The Mayor said: “The tram network has always been a very safe form of public transport and it is vital that we learn the lessons to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.

Victims: l-R Dorota Rynkiewicz, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary, and Mark Smith

“Two investigations continue into what caused this tragic incident and we must ensure that these are thorough and carefully considered not only to improve the safety of the network but to restore Londoners’ confidence in it.”

He added: "I have been in close contact with the TfL Commissioner Mike Brown, and as a result of advice contained in the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s Interim Report, TfL are already implementing all the recommended additional safety measures to make our tram network safer.

“I have had guarantees from the TfL Commissioner that all the advice from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch will be acted upon before services resume.

"There is additional work being carried out by TfL and separate analysis being conducted by a panel of four independent experts today, and I have been assured that these findings will be looked at in close detail before services are resumed.”

TfL Commissioner Mike Brown, who previously admitted that “clearly something has gone catastrophically wrong”, said: “We are doing everything we can to support the families and all those affected at this incredibly difficult time for them. This includes covering funeral costs and travel expenses for relatives.”

"Zest for life": Philip Logan was a father-of-four, grandfather and great-grandfather
British Transport Police

He said the TfL Sarah Hope line, which helps people affected by fatal or serious injuries on London’s transport network, was “available 24 hours a day to provide advice on a whole range of matters and immediate financial and other support”.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by what happened last Wednesday, and we are working with the local community to ensure that they continue to receive all the support they need at this incredibly difficult time," said Mr Brown.

"Loving husband": Relatives of Robert Huxley paid tribute following his death in the Croydon tram tragedy
British Transport Police

“We are continuing to carry out a thorough safety assessment and are taking the advice of an independent panel of tram experts. We will only resume services for the local community once that rigorous assurance process has been completed.”

TfL said that additional speed restrictions would be introduced before trams began running through the junction.

Donald Collett, 62, also died in the crash

A JustGiving page set up by Croydon council to raise £50,000 to help the families has raised about £16,000 from more than 600 donations.

Croydon council is to erect two memorials, one near the crash site and another at New Addington.

Deputy leader Councillor Alison Butler said: “The council is committed to ensuring a permanent memorial is put in place at each location to remember those who sadly died, but a final decision on what this will be will not be made until the individuals and communities who were directly affected by this tragedy have had time to share their thoughts on what they would like to see.”

The Sarah Hope line is the brainchild of Sarah Hope who was severely injured nine years ago by a bus in Mortlake. Sarah’s mother Elizabeth was killed and the incident left Sarah and her daughter Pollyanna with life-changing injuries.

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