This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37919658

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Croydon tram: Five dead and 50 injured after derailment Croydon tram: Five dead and 50 injured after derailment
(35 minutes later)
Five people have died and dozens more have been injured after a tram overturned in south London, police have said. Five people have died and dozens more have been injured after a tram overturned in London, police have said.
British Transport Police (BTP) arrested the driver but would not confirm what for. British Transport Police (BTP) arrested the driver but would not confirm why.
People were trapped inside the vehicle and more than 50 were taken to hospital after the derailment in Croydon just after 06:00 GMT. People were trapped inside and more than 50 were taken to hospital after the derailment in Croydon just after 06:00 GMT.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the tram was travelling at a "significantly higher speed than is permitted".
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the number of dead "may well increase".Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the number of dead "may well increase".
Investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are at the scene.
Live updates on Croydon tram crashLive updates on Croydon tram crash
London Ambulance Service said 51 people had been taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, and Croydon University Hospital.London Ambulance Service said 51 people had been taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, and Croydon University Hospital.
St George's said it was treating 20 people, including four who were seriously injured. St George's said it was treating 20 people, four of whom were seriously injured and 16 who were walking wounded.
The hospital's Clinical Director Dr Phil Moss said three were having surgery and "will certainly be kept overnight if not for several days or even weeks."
Medical Director Dr Nnenna Osuji said 31 patients were taken to Croydon University Hospital by ambulance while seven others arrived on foot.Medical Director Dr Nnenna Osuji said 31 patients were taken to Croydon University Hospital by ambulance while seven others arrived on foot.
She said Croydon's A&E department was still open to other patients but called for anybody with minor ailments to go to local GPs. 'Carnage'
The overturned tram remains on its side next to an underpass and appears to have derailed where the track branches.The overturned tram remains on its side next to an underpass and appears to have derailed where the track branches.
BBC travel correspondent Tom Edwards said he had been told there is a 16mph (25kph) speed limit on this part of the track.BBC travel correspondent Tom Edwards said he had been told there is a 16mph (25kph) speed limit on this part of the track.
Local resident Hannah Collier said: "I was in bed watching the election when I heard a big crash, which I thought was the wind. Andy Smith said he was waiting at a nearby bus stop when he heard "what sounded like a screeching noise, then a bang".
"Then I heard people shouting and then the emergency services arriving." He said: "[I looked] down the track and I saw carnage. There was a lot of screaming, panicking and commotion. It was a macabre scene."
Peter Allan Jones, who lives in a flat opposite where the tram derailed, said he saw people "walking injured" moving down the tracks towards the main road. Peter Allan Jones, who lives in a flat opposite to where the tram derailed, said he saw people "walking injured" moving down the tracks towards the main road.
He said one man was "shouting" and had to be restrained by police but "everyone else seemed quite sombre and quite shocked." He said one man was "shouting" and had to be restrained by police but "everyone else seemed quite sombre and quite shocked".
At the scene: Tom Edwards, BBC London's transport correspondent At the scene: Ben Bland, BBC news correspondent
We have no idea how it happened. Now the sirens have stopped there is an eerie silence on the road where the tram tipped over.
What we have been told is that there is a steep, quite a bad bend. Instead of the usual flow of cars, buses and trams, there are just a few people standing by the police cordon looking at the wreckage.
There was also torrential rain earlier perhaps that had something to do with it - but this is all complete speculation. As I briefly stopped to look at the matrix sign a man said "there aren't any trams today," clearly shaken by what had happened.
It's unbelievable that this has happened - it's unprecedented really since the tram opened in 2000. The cordon is at least 200m (650ft) from the accident site but we can see police officers and firefighters still examining the tram.
The mood is extremely sombre. The recovery stage has now begun, as well as the investigation into a how a normal, midweek morning commute ended so disastrously.
Police have set up a cordon of at least 200m around the crash site while investigations continue. Police have set up a cordon around the crash site while investigations continue.
Local resident Pat Rooke said: "They do come around that corner very fast sometimes, and it is quite a sharp bend."Local resident Pat Rooke said: "They do come around that corner very fast sometimes, and it is quite a sharp bend."
Trams are not fitted with any safety protection systems that apply the brakes automatically if they are going too fast, according to the Office of Rail and Road which regulates tram safety.
Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has called for a "thorough investigation that explains why the accident happened".Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has called for a "thorough investigation that explains why the accident happened".
"Thousands of my constituents use the service every day so lots of people will be sitting there today thinking it could have been me on that tram today," he said."Thousands of my constituents use the service every day so lots of people will be sitting there today thinking it could have been me on that tram today," he said.
Prime Minister Theresa May offered her thoughts and prayers and said the government was "closely in touch with the emergency services and other authorities to ensure that all is being done that is necessary to deal with this terrible incident."Prime Minister Theresa May offered her thoughts and prayers and said the government was "closely in touch with the emergency services and other authorities to ensure that all is being done that is necessary to deal with this terrible incident."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who have lost their lives today, and everyone involved in this incident. Mr Khan said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who have lost their lives today, and everyone involved in this incident.
"I am in close contact with the emergency services and Transport for London, who are working extremely hard under very difficult circumstances to get the situation under control and treat those who have been injured."I am in close contact with the emergency services and Transport for London, who are working extremely hard under very difficult circumstances to get the situation under control and treat those who have been injured.
"The police have set up a number for friends and family to call for information: 0800 0560154.""The police have set up a number for friends and family to call for information: 0800 0560154."
A book of condolence has opened at Croydon Town Hall.A book of condolence has opened at Croydon Town Hall.
Transport for London has said it does not expect to run trams between East Croydon and Addington Village/Harrington Road/Elmers End for the rest of the day.
Croydon TramlinkCroydon Tramlink
Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below