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Crash report finds London tram travelling more than three times the speed limit

A tram which crashed in south London killing seven people was travelling at three-and-a-half time...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.32 16 Nov 2016


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Crash report finds London tram...

Crash report finds London tram travelling more than three times the speed limit

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.32 16 Nov 2016


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A tram which crashed in south London killing seven people was travelling at three-and-a-half times the speed limit, the UK's Rail Accident Investigation Branch has said.

The train was running in Croydon from New Addington to Wimbledon when it derailed on November 9th at 6:10am.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch's (RAIB) initial review of the on-tram data has shown the tram was travelling at a speed of approximately 44mph as it entered the curve.

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The speed limit on that particular section of track is 12mph.

Six men and one woman died, and more than 50 people were injured.

The investigation has found no evidence of track defects or a malfunction of the tram's braking system.

Investigators also revealed the tram travelled for 25 metres on its side after overturning. 

Transport for London (TfL) has since offered to pay for the funerals of the seven victims of the crash.

A full report will not be completed for many months.

Dane Chinnery (19), Philip Logan (52), Philip Seary (57) and Dorota Rynkiewicz (35) were all killed in the crash.

Robert Huxley (63), Mark Smith (35) and Donald Collett (62) also died.

The tram's driver, Alfred Dorris (42) was arrested at the scene and was questioned on suspicion of manslaughter.

Mr Dorris from Beckenham, south London, has been bailed until May.

The RAIB issued "urgent safety advice" to First Group, which carries out the day-to-day operation of the trams, and Transport for London.

Both organisations were urged to take measures to reduce the risk of trams approaching the location of the crash "at an excessive speed" once the line is reopened.

The report suggested the use of further speed restrictions and additional warning signs.

Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, Simon French, said he would be in contact with the casualties and the families of those who died, and said they would investigate previous reports of speed on the line.

He said: "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."

Mike Brown, London's Transport Commissioner, described the RAIB's interim investigation as "thorough and swift".

He said services will only resume once a "rigorous assurance process" has been completed.

Engineers have repaired the track and associated equipment, and trams have run over that section of the line.


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