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Croydon tram: Seven dead and 50 injured after derailment Croydon tram: Seven dead and 50 injured after derailment
(35 minutes later)
Seven people have died and dozens more have been injured after a tram overturned in London, police have said.Seven people have died and dozens more have been injured after a tram overturned in London, police have said.
The driver, 42 from Beckenham, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
People were trapped inside 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 tram driver, 42 from Beckenham, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
British Transport Police said they were investigating whether he fell asleep.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the tram was travelling at a "significantly higher speed than is permitted".The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the tram was travelling at a "significantly higher speed than is permitted".
The police have set up a number - 0800 0560154 - for friends and family to call for information.
Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: "After liaison with the coroner, we can confirm that at least seven people have lost their lives as a result of this incident.Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Hanstock said: "After liaison with the coroner, we can confirm that at least seven people have lost their lives as a result of this incident.
"Our officers will continue to work tirelessly throughout the evening to formally identify them and provide care and support for their families.""Our officers will continue to work tirelessly throughout the evening to formally identify them and provide care and support for their families."
Live updates on Croydon tram crashLive updates on Croydon tram crash
London Ambulance Service said eight people have serious or life-threatening injuries, while a total of 51 had been taken to two hospitals.London Ambulance Service said eight people have serious or life-threatening injuries, while a total of 51 had been taken to two hospitals.
The RAIB said the tram derailed as it was negotiating a "sharp, left-hand curve" which has a speed limit of 12 mph. Robin Smith, Assistant Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, said they were investigating whether the driver fell asleep, alongside "a number of factors".
The RAIB said the Wimbledon-bound tram derailed as it was negotiating a "sharp, left-hand curve" which has a speed limit of 12 mph.
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.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.
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.
'Carnage' Kudirat Okesola said her husband was travelling on the tram and suffered a "massive" cut on his face.
St George's in Tooting said it was treating 20 people, four of whom were seriously injured and 16 who were walking wounded. She said some people were trapped underneath the tram calling for help.
Clinical director Dr Phil Moss said three were having surgery and could be kept in for "several days or even weeks." "People were screaming. People were crying," she said.
Croydon University Hospital's medical director Dr Nnenna Osuji said 31 patients were brought in by ambulance while seven others arrived on foot.
Andy Smith said he was waiting at a nearby bus stop when he heard "what sounded like a screeching noise, then a bang".Andy Smith said he was waiting at a nearby bus stop when he heard "what sounded like a screeching noise, then a bang".
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."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 to where the tram derailed, said he saw people "walking injured" moving down the tracks towards the main road. St George's Hospital in Tooting said it was treating 20 people, four of whom were seriously injured and 16 who were walking wounded.
He said one man was "shouting" and had to be restrained by police but "everyone else seemed quite sombre and quite shocked". Clinical director Dr Phil Moss said three were having surgery and could be kept in for "several days or even weeks."
Kudirat Okesola said her husband had been travelling on the tram and suffered a "massive" cut on his face. Croydon University Hospital's medical director Dr Nnenna Osuji said 31 patients were brought in by ambulance while seven others arrived on foot.
At the scene: Ben Bland, BBC news correspondentAt the scene: Ben Bland, BBC news correspondent
Now the sirens have stopped there is an eerie silence on the road where the tram tipped over.Now the sirens have stopped there is an eerie silence on the road where the tram tipped over.
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.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.
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.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.
The cordon is at least 200m (650ft) from the accident site but we can see police officers and firefighters still examining the tram.The cordon is at least 200m (650ft) from the accident site but we can see police officers and firefighters still examining the tram.
The recovery stage has now begun, as well as the investigation into a how a normal, midweek morning commute ended so disastrously.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 around the crash site while investigations continue.Police have set up a cordon around the crash site while investigations continue.
Resident Pat Rooke said: "They do come around that corner very fast sometimes, and it is quite a sharp bend."Resident Pat Rooke said: "They do come around that corner very fast sometimes, and it is quite a sharp bend."
Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell has called for a "thorough investigation that explains why the accident happened". Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said his friend was on the tram.
"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. "He's been injured, he's in hospital, he's gonna be ok. But it's been a very shocking day for the whole community here.
"Thousands of people use these every day to get to work to get to school and they're one of the best things about Croydon; we've got this fantastic modern environmentally-friendly transport system and it's had a great safety record.
"So this has come as a great shock."
Mike Brown, commissioner of Transport for London said: "Clearly something has gone catastrophically wrong and we will work tirelessly and quickly with the emergency services, the tram operator First Group and others to establish the cause."
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."
Mr Khan said: "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.Mr Khan said: "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."
A book of condolence has opened at Croydon Town Hall.A book of condolence has opened at Croydon Town Hall.
Transport for London 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.
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