Tram driver ‘Asleep at the Controls doing 40 mph’ on the same Track as Croydon Disaster that Killed Seven (Video)
A shocking video shows a tram driver asleep at his controls on the same track as the Croydon disaster.
The driver was caught nodding off as his tram headed towards New Addington in south London, just three miles from the scene of the Croydon crash that claimed the lives of seven passengers less than two weeks ago.
The terrifying footage was captured by a shocked passenger who described the scene as ‘surreal’.
It is believed the clip was filmed during rush-hour, with the carriage carrying around 50 people.Tram provider FirstGroup confirmed they had not seen the video, but explained that if a driver had been caught sleeping – they would face disciplinary action.
A spokesman said: ‘We have not seen this video before and it will now be subject to a full investigation. If the situation is as it appears then this is completely unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan later 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.
The video of the dozing driver emerges while the nation continues to mourn the tragic loss of those who died in the Croydon crash on November 9.
Six men and one woman lost their lives, while of the 51 injured eight suffered serious or life threatening injuries and several passengers had limbs amputated. The driver was the only member of staff onboard.
The seven victims of the crash were Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Logan, 52, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, and Robert Huxley, 63, all from New Addington, and Mark Smith, 35 and Donald Collett, 62, both from Croydon.
The incident occurred at around 6.10am on a sharp bend near the Sandilands stop as the vehicle travelled from New Addington to Wimbledon.
Investigators said the tram was travelling at a ‘significantly higher speed’ than the 12mph limit and are probing whether the driver had fallen asleep or was on his phone.
A report by the RAIB, the UK’s independent body for the investigation of tramway and railway accidents, said it was dark and raining heavily at the time of the crash but there is a reflective board noting the speed restriction.
After leaving the previous station at Lloyd Park the tram travelled at up to 50mph in accordance with speed restriction.
But the report says it entered the curve on the approach to Sandilands Junction at 43.5mph. Experts say it travelled for more than 80ft on its right side after derailing.
The driver of the tram has since been revealed to be 42-year-old Alfred Dorris,from Beckenham.
Detectives are said to be going through his phone records amid claims Mr Dorris, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of manslaughter, was halfway through writing a text message when the carriages derailed. He was later released on bail.
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Courtesy : DailyMail