A small child –aged five – has suffered multiple injuries after he rode his bike into the path of an oncoming tram between Ampere Way and Waddon Marsh.
The incident occurred at approximately 1820 on Sunday 20th January when the child, who was riding his bike in front of his mother, veered suddenly into the path of the tram. It has also been claimed that the reason he crossed the tracks was because the warning sign was covered in graffiti.
Roger Harding, General Manager of Tramtrack, said: “We had a report of a child riding a bike across the tracks in front of a tram. The emergency services attended immediately and we understand he is being treated for a broken arm. From looking at the CCTV images the tram was already braking as it was pulling into Waddon Marsh tram stop. Our driver had about three seconds notice of the little boy on the bike. Undoubtedly the driver is shaken up by the experience and he is now subject to the normal supportive reactions in place in incidents like these."
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch are now investigating the incident. Because of their involvement tram services were suspended for approximately two hours.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service added: “We sent two ambulances, two rapid response cars as well as an officer and a doctor. A five-year-old boy was taken to St George's Hospital with multiple injuries. From what the report says it looks like his injuries were quite a lot more serious than a broken arm."
The boy was taken to St Georges Hospital in Tooting where he has been treated for a fractured skull, leg and pelvis. He underwent emergency surgery on Monday 21st January, his condition has been described as stable and he is expected to remain in hospital for three weeks.
It is reported in the Croydon Advertiser that the Police are now considering charging the boys mother with child negligence. CCTV footage is believed to be in existence of exactly how the incident took place and CID officers from the Croydon Police are seriously considering arresting the mother over the incident.
Source: Croydon Guardian & This is Croydon Today