Croydon tram crash: Probe over video of 'driver falling asleep' near derailment site

Tragedy: The tram overturned near Sandilands stop
PA
Mark Chandler19 November 2016

An investigation has been launched after a tram driver was caught on camera appearing to fall asleep at the controls on the same stretch of track where a derailment killed seven people.

The video, published by The Sun, appears to show the driver nodding off two stops from the Sandilands junction in Croydon where this month's tragedy took place.

It was filmed at around 6pm on April 21 this year, the paper said, and is now being urgently investigated by operator First Group and Transport for London (TfL).

During the time the man was sleeping, the tram was going at around 40mph, the paper claimed.

The person who took the video said: "I was incredulous when I saw him.

Victims: l-R Dorota Rynkiewicz, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary, and Mark Smith

“I did a few double takes."

He went on: "It was the most surreal thing because the tram is zooming along and the driver seems to be falling asleep."

“It’s a downhill stretch and it felt to me like the train was going too fast," he said.

Croydon trams use a “deadman’s handle” system where brakes are applied if pressure is not kept on a lever.

The video comes after the line reopened on Friday, nine days after the fatal crash.

Investigators revealed on Thursday that the vehicle was travelling at 43.5mph when it derailed - just under four times the speed restriction.

Driver Alfred Dorris, 42, has been arrested and bailed after the disaster.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I am extremely concerned by this video. People will understandably be very worried.‎

"It is important that First Group, who operate the trams, and TfL urgently and fully investigate this. I will make sure any ‎necessary action is taken, and that all steps are taken to make sure these trams are as safe as possible."‎

FirstGroup spokesman said: “We have not seen this video before and it will be subject to a full investigation.

“If the situation is as it appears then this is completely unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken.”

A TfL spokesman said: "We are urgently investigating this film and have asked First Group, who operate the tram network, to take all necessary action and report back to us."

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