Driver of speeding Croydon tram had ‘lost awareness’ before crash, say investigators

The Croydon tram in which seven passengers died when it derailed was travelling even faster than previously thought, investigators revealed today.

An updated report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the packed two-carriage tram was travelling at 46mph — three and a half times the maximum speed — when it came off the line in the crash on November 9.

The limit for the bend is 13mph. The RAIB had thought the tram was going at 43.5mph. Today’s report suggests driver Alfred Dorris “lost awareness” as he neared a tight left-hand curve.

A total of 70 rather than 60 people are now thought to have been on the Wimbledon-bound tram, which derailed near Sandilands junction.

The report said it appeared that several of the passengers who were killed or badly hurt had been thrown out of the tram through windows or doors. Six men and a woman died and 51 were injured, 16 of them seriously.

The report suggests that the single 20kmph (13mph) sign was too close to the bend to give the driver enough time to slow down. The crash happened at 6.07am, during rain and darkness.

It states: “There was no sign to indicate to drivers where they should begin to apply the brakes for the Sandilands curve; they were expected to know this from their knowledge of the route.

“Analysis... indicates that the service brake was not applied until around two and a half seconds before the tram reached the 20kmph (13mph) speed restriction sign.

"The tram’s speed had reduced from 78kmph (49mph) to 73kmph (46mph) by the time the tram passed the sign. The hazard brake was not used.

"The late application of the brakes, and the absence of emergency braking, suggests that the driver had lost awareness that he was approaching the tight, left-hand curve.

"The RAIB is continuing to investigate the factors that may have caused this to occur.”

Initial reports suggested investigators were considering whether Mr Dorris, 42, of Beckenham, was asleep or had lost consciousness.

The driver, who has been working for the tram operator for eight years, according to parent firm First Group, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed until May.

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.

Trevor Sterling, of Moore Blatch solicitors, who represents some of the victims, said: “It is absolutely vital that investigations lead to concrete answers in relation to the driver’s contribution to the accident, and the actual cause, or it will only create more speculation.”

Transport for London commissioner Mike Brown said: “We continue to work with the RAIB and will take on board all recommendations from this and other investigations, including our own, that are under way.”

He said more signage and speed limits had been introduced at Sandilands and three other sites, adding: “We have recently held a summit with other tram operators from around the country and continue to consider further safety measures.

"The TfL Sarah Hope line remains available to those affected.”