The rail regulator is prosecuting Transport for London and the tram’s operator and driver over the fatal Croydon tram crash, more than five years ago.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it is prosecuting TfL, Tram Operations Limited and driver Alfred Dorris for breaches of health and safety law following ‘a detailed and thorough investigation’ into the derailment at Sandilands in November 2016.
Image: ORR
TfL is alleged to have failed to ensure the health and safety of passengers on the Croydon Tramlink network, so far as reasonably practicable.
Tram Operations Limited, which runs the tram service on TfL’s behalf, is also alleged to have failed to ensure the health and safety of passengers on the network, so far as reasonably practicable.
Mr Dorris has been accused of an alleged failure as an employee to take reasonable care of passengers whilst employed at work driving the tram.
A hearing will take place at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, with a date to be set shortly.
HM Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser CBE said: ‘My thoughts are with the families of the seven people who lost their lives on 9 November 2016, the many more injured and everyone whose lives have been impacted as a result of this incident.
‘Following a detailed and thorough investigation, we’ve taken the decision to prosecute Transport for London, Tram Operations Limited and driver Alfred Dorris for what we believe to be health and safety failings.
‘We’ve made a fair, independent and objective assessment about what happened, and it is now for the court to consider if any health and safety law has been breached.’
The crash resulted in the deaths of seven people: Dane Chinnery, Philip Logan, Philip Seary, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Robert Huxley, Mark Smith, and Donald Collett. In addition, more than 50 people were injured.
An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) into the crash made 15 recommendations for the tram sector.
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