The driver at the controls at the time of the Croydon light rail crash in 2016 may have been in a “micro-sleep” when it happened, an investigation has learned.
Seven people died when the tram tipped over in south London as it approached a curve in the tracks at almost four times the allowed speed, just after 6 a.m. on November 9.
The driver, Alfred Dorris, was arrested but never charged.
The investigation was due to take place in October 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic
Simon French, chief inspector of the Railway Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), said a “micro-sleep” can be triggered by a period of low workload that allows us to “shut off.”
Mr. French showed jurors during the inquest, who started this week, a video reconstruction of the train overturning and sliding off the tracks.
He said survivors compared the crash – which left 51 injured in addition to those who died – to being in a washing machine.
“It was fast and violent and it happened in seconds,” he said.
Mr French said more speed limit signs or sound warnings could have helped prevent the crash. At the time of the accident, it was dark and the tram passed through three tunnels before approaching a sharp bend.
The 20 km / h (12 mph) speed limit sign for turns was placed at the start of the curve and there were no such signs in the tunnels.
The tram passed the turn at 73 km / h (45 mph) and rolled over, sliding away from the tracks.
“At this kind of speed, the tram will not be able to stand on this kind of curve,” French said.
The speed limit sign for driving around bends was placed at the start of the curve and there were no such signs in the tunnels
Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, Robert Huxley, 63, Philip Logan, 52, Mark Smith, 35, and Donald …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-19 19:07:00
