{"id":47148,"date":"2022-11-24T18:00:56","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T18:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=47148"},"modified":"2022-11-23T18:57:08","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T18:57:08","slug":"raib-release-report-into-fatal-collision-between-tram-and-pedestrian-in-blackpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishtramsonline.co.uk\/news\/?p=47148","title":{"rendered":"RAIB release report into fatal collision between tram and pedestrian in Blackpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest RAIB report to be released is in relation to a collision between a tram and pedestrian in Blackpool which tragically saw the 69 year old pedestrian die in hospital the following day from his injuries suffered. The collision happened on 24th<\/sup> November 2021 at a pedestrian crossing located to the south of the junction between Fleetwood Road and Queen\u2019s Promenade adjacent to Anchorsholme Park.<\/p>\n

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The incident happened at 1811 on Wednesday 24th<\/sup> November 2021 when Flexity2 007 was travelling southbound between Fleetwood Ferry and Starr Gate. The tram had just stopped at Anchorsholme Lane and following the changing of the traffic lights in its favour was accelerating away from the stop and across the junction when Robert Dawson, 69, was using the pedestrian crossing from west to east.<\/p>\n

The investigation concluded that the driver of the tram was not aware of Mr Dawson\u2019s presence until it was too late to take action to prevent the collision. The pedestrian was wearing dark clothing and the lighting in the vicinity did not make it easy to see him crossing the tracks. It was also concluded that Mr Dawson was unaware of the speed of the tram or its vicinity to him and on board CCTV showed that he did not look towards the tram immediately before the collision happened. It was felt that the angle of the crossing across the tramway contributed towards this.<\/p>\n

The immediate cause of the incident is said to be \u201cthe pedestrian crossed into the path of the tram as it passed over the crossing\u201d whilst two casual factors were also identified \u201cthe tram driver did not take action to avoid the collision because he was unaware of the presence of the pedestrian on the crossing as the tram approached it\u201d and \u201cthe pedestrian did not take action to avoid the tram\u201d.<\/p>\n

Since the collision occurred Blackpool Council have amended this crossing to make it safer for users. The new layout has removed foliage and extended the western approach to the crossing to make the crossing perpendicular to the tramway. New ornamental fencing was moved back into Anchorsholme Park and two additional streetlights have been ordered for installation on either side of the tramway near to the crossing. A traction pole to the western end of the crossing has also been relocated to improve sighting.<\/p>\n

The RAIB have made three further recommendations:<\/p>\n