At least 7 dead in London tram accident

Catherine Hardy

 

 

LONDON: -- Seven people have been killed and more than 50 injured after a tram overturned in south London.

 

Passengers were trapped inside the wreckage of the carriages.

 

The emergency services were called at around 0610 am after the service derailed near a stop close to central Croydon in the south of the British capital.

 

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.

 

Transport officials say the tram’s driver has been arrested.

 

More than 70 firefighters were sent to the scene.

 

Television footage showed the tram lying on its side across the tracks near a junction where the line divides.

 

What they are saying

 

“We have transported over 50 patients to a number of hospitals, those being St Georges and Croydon University Hospital. Most of those patients were walking wounded.

 

There are however a number of patients with some serious injuries. We will continue to work on the scene with the other emergency workers during the recovery operation,” said Liam Lehane, Assistant Director of Operations, London Ambulance Service.

 

“My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible incident that has taken place on the tram in Croydon,” said UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-11-10

When did they start calling trains, trams ?

2 hours ago, maingmoom said:

When did they start calling trains, trams ?

 

 

A tram-train is a light-rail public transport system where trams run through from an urban tramway network to main-line railway lines which are shared with conventional trains. ... There is also a train-tram, which is a train modified to also run on tramlines.

This is a Tram (classified as light rail in the UK where they do not share lines with Trains -Heavy Rail) they do however have instances where they run along side rail lines but use completely separate PWay (permanent way - Railway as mentioned, in this case light rail)

 

It appears from initial reports the driver (who was arrested by BT Police and now bailed) is saying he had a black out ? 

 

The Tram entered a corner at too high a speed which then resulted in it being de-railed and flipping over onto its side. It was a two car set (two coaches/vehicles) = 1 tram, packed to the gills with morning commuters, 7 dead and 50 injured (bear in mind you have more standing capacity in a Tram than seating capacity) 

 

The Tram will be removed for full brake & speedo tests to define exactly what happened, most trains and trams now have telemetry equipment that will be downloaded (probably already done) giving exact details of brake/throttle settings (aka a black box or spy in the cab) so they will know at what speed the incident occured. Is strange for the driver to say he had a black out if all was well?? They will find out (they being HMRI - Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate and RAIB - Rail Accident Investigation Bureau along with British Transport Police to decide if a criminal act has been committed?