Seven
people died and over 50 were injured after a crowded tram derailed and
overturned in Croydon, South London on Wednesday, November 9th.
The crash occurred as
the tram negotiated a sharp bend in the track. Fire crews arrived at the scene
and were able to free a number of people. The 42-year-old tram driver from
Beckenham, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and is in police
custody.
Shocked passengers told
of carnage and blood everywhere as they likened the derailment to a movie
scene. Recalling what happened, one of the survivors, a Nigerian man, Taiye
Ajibola, who was on his way to work, said the incident occurred immediately
they left Lloyds Park.
His wife, Kudirat
Okesola, 46, rushed to his side as soon as she heard he was involved in the
accident.
"Even my husband was covered with
blood," she said.
Ms Okesola said some people
were trapped underneath the tram calling for help.
"People were screaming. People were
crying," she added.
British Transport Police
(BTP) has not yet officially confirmed the identities of the victims. Officers
are investigating claims the tram was exceeding permitted speeds and that the
driver may have fallen asleep.
The Rail Accident
Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the tram, which had been travelling from New
Addington to Wimbledon derailed as it was negotiating a "sharp, left-hand
curve" which has a speed limit of 12mph. A spokesman said:
"Initial indications suggest that the tram
was travelling at a significantly higher speed than is permitted."
A BTP investigator said
a number of factors, including whether the driver had fallen asleep or blacked out
at the wheel, were being examined as possible causes.
London Ambulance Service
said a total of 51 injured casualties taken to two hospitals, with eight having
serious or life-threatening injuries. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who visited the
crash site on Wednesday, warned the number of dead may increase.
St George's Hospital in
Tooting said it treated four seriously injured victims and 16 walking wounded.
Clinical director Dr Phil Moss said three had undergone surgery and could be
kept in for several days or even weeks.
Croydon University
Hospital's medical director Dr Nnenna Osuji said 31 patients had been brought
in by ambulance, while seven others had arrived on foot.
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