Tuesday 3rd May saw the latest instalment of van v car on Manchester Metrolink when a white van collided with M5000 3076 on Manchester Street, Oldham. It is believed that the van jumped a red light and that the driver of the vehicle fled the scene straight afterwards.
The collision happened at approximately 2200 whilst 3076 was operating a Rochdale Town Centre to Ashton-under-Lyne service. The lights were set to allow the tram to proceed but for some reason the van driver did not take any notice of the red light which led to the van coming into contact with the tram. Fortunately there were no serious injuries but two passengers on board the tram suffered minor injuries.
From photos of the incident it also appeared that the main damage was suffered by the van although 3076 did also inevitably receive some damage.
3076 also had a collision with a car in late 2013 when testing Oldham.
Reports indicate that the van had been “taken without owners concent” and had already jumped several sets of trafic lights plus sundry other motoring offences before picking and losing the fight with the tram…
Despite the disruption to the service, be grateful the tram put a stop to his antics – it could have been so much worse if it had collided with a car or motorbike instead of the relatively tough tram.