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Croydon tram crash driver cries giving court evidence about arrest Croydon tram crash driver apologises to victims' families
(about 1 hour 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 that 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 told the victims' families he is "deeply sorry" for becoming "disorientated".
Alfred Dorris is on trial over the derailment in Croydon, south London, on 9 November 2016, which also seriously injured 19 others. Alfred Dorris, 49, is on trial over the crash in Croydon, south London, on 9 November 2016.
It is alleged he was driving at three times the speed limit when his tram left the tracks on a sharp bend. He told the Old Bailey he became "confused" but, after the crash, "could not explain how it happened".
Mr Dorris, 49, denies failing to take reasonable care at work. Mr Dorris, of Beckenham, south-east London, denies a charge of failing to take reasonable care at work.
It is alleged Mr Dorris was driving at three times the speed limit when his tram left the tracks on a sharp bend near Sandilands.
The seven passengers who were killed were Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith.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. A total of 69 passengers were onboard, 19 of whom were seriously injured.
"I was told that I was being arrested for manslaughter because of multiple fatalities," he told the court. Giving evidence for the first time in his trial, he broke down crying as he described his final journey.
"I was broken. I could not believe what I was hearing." He said he became confused and convinced he was heading in the opposite direction.
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 said that when he realised he was approaching the curve, he went into "shock".
He of the weeks following the crash: "I was just all over the place, just broken, disbelief at what had happened." Addressing people in court affected by the disaster, he said: "I woke up in the morning expecting to have a normal day.
"I'm a human being and sometimes as a human being things happen to you that you are not in control of.
"I'm sorry that I became disorientated.
"And I'm deeply sorry I was not able to do anything to reorientate myself and stop the tram from turning over.
"I'm deeply sorry."
He added: "I wanted to reach for the brake but at that stage the tram was already going over and I was thrown out of the chair and I could not do anything," he said.
Earlier, Mr Dorris became distressed in front of victims' families and wiped away tears as he described being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the crash.
He said 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.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
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".
'Confused'
Mr Dorris said he had become "confused" before the derailment but, afterwards, "could not explain how it happened".
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".
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.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 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."
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.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.
He said on one occasion he became aggressive with his wife, and then separated from his family.He said on one occasion he became aggressive with his wife, and then separated from his family.
"That was the last time I saw my family, the last time I saw my daughter," he told the jury."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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