Croydon tram crash one year on: survivors plead for lessons to be learned to prevent a repeat of the disaster

Seven people died and 51 were injured when the speeding tram derailed
PA

Devastated victims of the Croydon tram crash said today lessons must be learned to prevent another disaster as they marked the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Seven people died and 51 were injured when a speeding tram derailed at a sharp junction outside Sandilands station last November.

Passengers were “ejected or partially ejected” through shattered windows as the tram overturned and slid 25 metres, having been travelling at 46 miles per hour on a bend which had a 13 miles per hour speed limit.

Matthew Parnell, 44, lost his HGV licence and his job after suffering a brain injury in the crash.

He told the Standard: “The anniversary is a difficult time as it is a reminder of the cause of loss to so many people, for my own part the accident has changed my life.

Matthew Parnell suffered a serious brain injury in the crash

“I hope for the investigations to conclude so that lessons can be learned to ensure others do not need to endure the pain we have suffered.”

A public memorial for the victims of the tram crash was being held at Central Parade in New Addington today.

Philip Logan, 52, Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, Robert Huxley, 63, Mark Smith, 35, and Donald Collett, 62, all died in the disaster which occurred at 6.07am exactly one year ago today.

An interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB) said the late application of the brakes, and the absence of emergency braking, suggested the driver, 43-year-old Alfred Dorris, from Beckenham, had “lost awareness”.

Dorris was arrested at the scene and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter.

He was questioned again by police two months ago and released “under investigation” as officers prepare a report for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Since the crash, four drivers have admitted to falling asleep while operating trams at the same location.

Following the interim RAIB report, TfL installed devices in tram cabs that monitors drivers’ eyes for distraction or fatigue and alerts them with a noise and vibration if they appear to be falling asleep.

The tram on its side after the horrific crash
BBC/ITN

But drivers complained about the new technology, reporting it caused headaches, dry eyes and blurred vision.

A 24-hour strike by the ASLEF union is now scheduled for December 6 after a planned walkout for next Monday was called off.

Trevor Sterling, partner at Moore Blatch solicitors, who represents a number of the tram victims, said it was important the investigations were concluded “as swiftly as possible” to enable safety recommendations to be implemented.

“Given the anniversary of this tragic accident, this is a difficult time for the victims and their families, who continue to wait for the Police and RAIB to conclude their investigations into the cause of the incident.

“We call on all involved to complete their investigations as swiftly as possible and begin the process of acting upon the recommendations.

A public memorial for the victims of the tram crash is taking place today

“We hope to see sensible dialogue amongst the relevant parties so that clear timelines can be produced on when changes to safety regulations will be made, this is important to enable the victims and their families to achieve a degree of closure.”

He added the final compensation bill would likely cost TfL’s insurers “many millions, probably tens of millions”.

Transport for London said today that all requests for interim financial support from bereaved relatives and those injured had been met, with more than £1 million already paid out to 74 people for “counselling, rehabilitation, compensation and other support”.

However Mr Logan’s widow, Marylin, 63, said she felt abandoned by Tfl since the crash, saying TfL “have forgotten us”.

She said: “It’s been a difficult year. I feel they just don’t care.”

A spokeswoman for TfL said it was “very concerned and upset that Mrs Logan feels she has not received the support she needs during this distressing time” and insisted it had been in contact with her, her solicitors and her daughter “offering financial assistance and help with counselling and other support”.

She added: “We stand ready to do everything in our power to help her further”.

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