The inquest into the London Tramlink derailment at Sandilands in November 2016 has ruled that it was an accident following nine days of deliberations by the jury. The ruling has been met with anger and disappointment by the families of those who lost their lives in the derailment with claims that several key witnesses were not called by the coroner which may have led to a different decision.
The derailment happened close to Sandilands on 9th November 2016 with the tram found to be travelling at three times the speed limit after the driver became disoriented having had what has been described as a microsleep while driving the tram.
Seven people tragically lost their lives in the derailment – Dane Chinnery, Philip Logan, Philip Seary, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Robert Huxley, Mark Smith and Donald Collett. 50 others suffered injuries as the tram left the rails on the sharp curve at Sandilands.
The foreman of the jury stated: “The tram driver became disorientated, which caused loss of awareness in his surroundings, probably due to a lack of sleep, as a result of which the driver failed to brake in time and drove his tram towards a tight curve at excessive speed. The tram left the rails and overturned on to its right side, as a result of which the deceased ejected from the tram and killed.”
South London senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe is said to have refused to call a number of people as witnesses at the inquest. This included staff from Tram Operations Limited (operator of Tramlink) and Transport for London. The driver of the tram was also unable to give evidence.
Transport for London commissioner, Andy Byford, said: “We will never forget the seven people who lost their lives in the Sandilands tragedy. We know these inquests have been deeply distressing for their families and friends and all those involved and I want to reiterate my continued support to everyone affected.”
The families of the deceased are now planning to ask the Attorney General Michael Ellis to apply to the High Court to grant a new inquest.