Families want tram driver to apologise for tragedy

THE families of seven people who died in a tram crash in Croydon, south- east London, have demanded to meet with the driver to receive an apology.

Seven people were killed and a further 51 were injured in the incident which happened on November 9, 2016.

The tram came off the tracks at almost four times the speed limit in darkness and heavy rain and it was alleged that the driver, Alfred Dorris, had drifted into a “microsleep”.

Mr Dorris was arrested at the scene but charges of gross negligence and manslaughter were later dropped by the British Transport Police ( BTP).

No charges of corporate manslaughter were brought against Transport for London ( TfL) or operator Tram Operations Ltd ( TOL), a subsidiary of FirstGroup.

A pre- inquest review at Croydon Town Hall heard yesterday that Mr Dorris would be unable to attend the inquest as he was “unwell”.

But Andrew Ritchie QC, representing five of the seven victims’ families, said they did “not feel comfortable” with Mr Dorris’ absence.

He said the families had to satisfy a “human need to see the man and hear him apologise”.

Mr Richards suggested a meeting take place “either via video conference or a face to face, just to hear his apology in some way, so the families can put that need to bed”.

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, were all killed in the crash.

Mr Ritchie represents the families of Mr Logan, Mr Seary, Ms Rynkiewicz, Mr Smith, and Mr Collett.

The families of Mr Chinnery and Mr Huxleyare represented by Giles Mooney QC. A full inquest is due to open on October 19.

The inquest is expected to hear arguments that the case was one of human error and failings of the transport system.

It was the deadliest tram accident in the UK since an accident at Dover in 1917 caused 11 deaths and 60 injuries.

It is also the deadliest accident on any rail network in the UK since the 2001 Great Heck rail crash near Selby, in which 10 people died.