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Croydon tram crash driver cries giving court evidence about arrest Croydon tram crash driver cries giving court evidence about arrest
(about 2 hours later)
Tram driver Alfred Dorris denies a single charge of failing to take reasonable care at workTram driver Alfred Dorris denies a single charge of failing to take reasonable care at work
The driver of a tram which crashed killing seven people has broken down in tears in court as he described his arrest. The driver of a tram that crashed killing seven people has broken down in tears in court as he described his arrest.
Alfred Dorris is on trial over the derailment on 9 November 2016 in Croydon, south London, which also seriously injured 19 others. Alfred Dorris is on trial over the derailment in Croydon, south London, on 9 November 2016, which also seriously injured 19 others.
It is alleged he was driving at three times the speed limit when his tram left the tracks on a sharp bend.It is alleged he was driving at three times the speed limit when his tram left the tracks on a sharp bend.
Mr Dorris, 49, denies failing to take reasonable care at work.Mr Dorris, 49, denies failing to take reasonable care at work.
Giving evidence for the first time in his trial, he told the Old Bailey he was "broken"when he was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the tram toppled over with 69 passengers on board. The seven passengers who were killed were Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith.
Giving evidence for the first time in his trial, he told the Old Bailey he was "broken" when he was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the tram toppled over with 69 passengers on board.
"I was told that I was being arrested for manslaughter because of multiple fatalities," he told the court."I was told that I was being arrested for manslaughter because of multiple fatalities," he told the court.
"I was broken. I could not believe what I was hearing.""I was broken. I could not believe what I was hearing."
Mr Dorris, from Beckenham, south-east London, became distressed in front of victims' families and wiped away tears as he described being put in the back of a police van after the crash.Mr Dorris, from Beckenham, south-east London, became distressed in front of victims' families and wiped away tears as he described being put in the back of a police van after the crash.
He of the weeks following the crash: "I was just all over the place, just broken, disbelief at what had happened."
He also said he had been "proud of" of his job and had enjoyed it.
The tram was carrying 69 passengers when it derailedThe tram was carrying 69 passengers when it derailed
Later he told the court: "I could not explain how it happened." Describing the moments leading up to the crash, Mr Dorris said lighting in the tunnel on the approach to the sharp turn was "inconsistent" and, in the dark, he had to rely on his "route knowledge and experience as a driver".
Mr Dorris said, of the weeks after the crash: "I was just all over the place, just broken, disbelief at what had happened." 'Confused'
He also said he had been "proud of" of his job and enjoyed it. Mr Dorris said he had become "confused" before the derailment but, afterwards, "could not explain how it happened".
The prosecution alleges he may have had a "micro-sleep" while driving the tram. Asked by his defence barrister Miles Bennett whether, with the passage of time, he was able to tell the jury how he became disorientated, Mr Dorris said "no".
'Passed out' The prosecution alleges he may have had a "micro-sleep" while driving the tram. But Mr Dorris told the court he had "never" had problems with fatigue, despite working early shifts.
Asked by his defence barrister if he had any problems with fatigue, as he started work very early in the morning, Mr Dorris replied: "No, never."
Asked what he would have done if he had felt tired before a shift, he said: "I could have just explained I was not feeling fit to work and they would sign me off."Asked what he would have done if he had felt tired before a shift, he said: "I could have just explained I was not feeling fit to work and they would sign me off."
The trial previously heard passengers were "flung around" as if in a washing machine after Mr Dorris attempted the sharp bend near Sandilands tram stop. Mr Dorris went on to describe how he had continued to "struggle" since the crash, reaching his "lowest point" during the Covid-19 lockdown, suffering with post traumatic stress syndrome.
After the tram fell on its side, Mr Dorris was heard by passengers to say he must have "blacked out" or "passed out", the jury was told. He said on one occasion he became aggressive with his wife, and then separated from his family.
The seven passengers who were killed were Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith. "That was the last time I saw my family, the last time I saw my daughter," he told the jury.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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