Train that derailed in Croydon killing seven people was travelling at 43.5mph in a 12mph zone, investigators say

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the tram, which was carrying about 60 people, was travelling at 43.5mph in a 12mph zone.In its interim report, it said there was no evidence of any track defects, or obstructions on the track.The investigation also found no malfunction of the braking system.
The tram derailed last Wednesday morning shortly after coming out of a tunnel with a 50mph speed limit.


Initial analysis shows the driver, Alfred Dorris, did apply the brake after coming out of the tunnel but only enough to reduce his speed from 50mph out of the tunnel to 43.5mph. The tram travelled 25m before stopping. Mr Dorris, from Beckenham, south-east London, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released on bail until May. It is understood that establishing if the 42-year-old, who has worked for First Group since 2008, was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry. The seven people killed in the crash 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.
A further 51 people were taken to hospital, with eight of them suffering injuries described by London Ambulance Service as serious or life-threatening.

              Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz (l-r) all died in the crash 

 Philip Logan (left), Donald Collett (centre) and Robert Huxley (right), also died 

The RAIB said factors that led to the speeding were still under investigation and it has advised London Trams and Tram Operations Ltd to put speed restrictions in place before the bend out of the tunnel.
Mike Brown, London's transport commissioner, said: "We will follow the RAIB's advice and, before service is resumed, will implement additional temporary speed restrictions and associated signage near Sandilands to supplement existing safety arrangements.
"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."
The report also found:

• At the time of the accident it was dark and raining heavily
• CCTV was not working at the time of the derailment
• The right side of the tram, which made contact with the ground, was severely damaged
• The tram would have had to begin braking 180m before the 12mph speed restriction sign to get the speed down

Aslef, the train drivers' union, said it was "clear that the lack of adequate safety systems were at the root of this dreadful accident"