Croydon tram crash victims 'fell out' of windows during derailment
The safety of the vehicles used on the Tramlink light rail network in South London came into question on Monday, with investigators revealing that the seven people who were killed in a crash last November died as they ‘fell out’ of windows.
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In its second interim report on the incident, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said passengers appeared to have been “ejected or partially ejected” during the derailment.
It also said the brakes were applied only 2.5 seconds before the crash, indicating the driver “lost awareness” as the tram approached a 13mph corner at 46mph on wet rails.
“Of the secen 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 investigators said the brake needed to be applied 180 metres ahead of the junction in order to slow down in time for the corner of the junction - but because it was applied late and there was no emergency braking, the driver Alfred Dorris “lost awareness” of the upcoming 13mph speed restriction.
Alongside the seven people killer 51 people were taken to hospital - with eight of the injured described as being in a serious or life-threatening condition at the time.
Trains approved for use on the National Rail network are required to have shatterproof glass fitted to the windows, but the same rules do not apply to local light-rail networks such as London Tramlink.
The trams are operated by FirstGroup under contract to Transport for London, with the tram being built by Bombardier.