The career of Manchester Metrolink T68 1017 may have come to a premature end after a car managed to drive into the back of the LRV at Exchange Quays during the evening of Friday 10th January. The incident happened shortly after 1800 when the Mercedes somehow managed to strike the rear of the tram. No-one was injured on board the tram and the 23 year old driver of the car suffered only minor injuries.
The incident caused services on the Eccles and MediaCityUK lines to be suspended whilst the emergency services dealt with the incident and before the tram was removed back to depot.
With the T68 fleet continuing to be withdrawn at an increasing rate it remains to be seen whether any repairs will be undertaken on 1017 or whether its own withdrawal will be accelerated. Maybe a Mercedes has caused the end of the LRV’s career?
It’s interesting to note the usual media bias, the headline in the MEN being Metrolink tram hits car, even though the article states that the car collided with the rear of the tram. Perhaps the reporter thinks that the trams run backwards.
I hope that they repair 1017; there are precious few T68s left now and it would be a shame if the tram is withdrawn owing to an event like this.
Well Ken my experience of the media is like the solicitor. I can not believe a word they say!
And if the Daily Express had reported on it they would have said something like “The tram ploughed into the car and the driver was inches from death!”
I sincerely hope the insurance company of the driver of the Mercedes load his policy substantially at the next renewal as he must be a massive risk if he cant see a tram! If 1017 is withdrawn I wonder if they should pay towards a new M5000?????