Event    From 9/11/2016  To 9/11/2016

Croydon Tram Derailment

Categories: Tragedy, Transport

The tram carrying 69 passengers, had left New Addington bound for Wimbledon. At 6.07 a.m. as it approached Sandilands station on a sharp bend, it overturned on its right side. Seven passengers were killed, and of the others, most suffered varying degrees of injury.

At a subsequent enquiry it was estimated that the tram had been travelling at about 45 mph, when the speed limit on the bend was 12 mph. The driver was blamed for the accident, although it was believed that he was asleep at the time. Further investigations revealed more reports of drivers falling asleep. The erratic shift patterns of drivers were called into question, with one driver saying that 'Nobody is ever fully awake'.

20 July 2021: The inquest into the crash focussed on the actions of the driver, who survived the crash, but returned the verdict that the seven deaths were accidental.

24 March 2022: From MyLondon: "This morning (Thursday, March 24) the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it will prosecute Transport for London, driver Alfred Dorris, and Trams Operations Limited for alleged "breaches of health and safety law"."

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Croydon Tram Derailment

Commemorated ati

Croydon Tram Derailment - New Addington

In memory of the seven people who lost their lives and those affected by the ...

Read More

Croydon Tram Derailment - Sandilands

In memory of those who lost their lives on 9 November 2016. Dane Chinnery Don...

Read More

Other Subjects

Craig Russell Harty

Craig Russell Harty

Non-British, killed by the Bali bomb.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Tia McGowan
1 memorial
Christian Redman

Christian Redman

British, killed by the Bali bomb, age 30.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Police Sergeant Noel Lane

Police Sergeant Noel Lane

Andrew Behan has researched this man: Police Sergeant Noel Joseph Lane was born on 7 November 1955, the son of Ernest George Lane and Mary Teresa Lane née Christmas. His birth was registered in the...

Person, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
John Weekes

John Weekes

Role on the lost expedition: Officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial