The deaths of seven passengers in the Croydon tram crash were accidental, the jury at the coroner's inquest in south London has decided, in a verdict that was met with anger by families of the victims. In a narrative verdict, the jury said contributing factors were that the driver had become disoriented and not braked in time, while TOL, the tram operator, had failed to adequately account for the risk of a high-speed derailment, or ensure a just culture where drivers felt able to report health and safety concerns.
(Permalink) Crash Croydon TOL Tram

A tram driver has been suspended after footage in The Sun appeared to show him struggling to stay awake, transport company FirstGroup has said.
A video emerged of the driver at the controls on the same line on which a crash killed seven people in Croydon, south London, on 9 November.
The Sun said it had been recorded in April, about three miles from the derailment scene of the derailment.
FirstGroup said the driver had been removed from duty pending an inquiry.
(Permalink) Croydon Tram

Footage appearing to show a tram driver nodding off at the controls on the same line where a crash killed seven people is being 'urgently investigated'.
The clip, apparently captured on a passenger's mobile phone in April, was sent to the Sun newspaper.
It said the video had been recorded about three miles from the site of the 9 November derailment in Croydon, south London, which also injured 51.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was 'extremely concerned' by the footage.
In the 30-second clip, a driver - who is not the same one who was involved in last week's fatal crash - appears to drift in and out of sleep as the tram moves along.
He is seen apparently struggling to remain upright, and passengers can be heard expressing shock as the tram approaches the next stop.
(Permalink) Croydon Tram

Seven people have died and dozens more have been injured after a tram overturned in London.
People were trapped inside and more than 50 were taken to hospital after the derailment in Croydon just after 06:00 GMT.
The tram driver, 42, from Beckenham, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
British Transport Police said they were investigating whether he fell asleep.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the tram was travelling at a 'significantly higher speed than is permitted'.
(Permalink) Croydon Derailment RAIB Tram