Croydon crash tram travelled three times speed limit, investigation finds

• Video report by ITV News Correspondent Richard Pallot

A tram which crashed in Croydon, killing seven people and injuring several others, was travelling more than three times the permitted speed limit.

An investigation into the accident by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found that the tram was moving at 44mph - three-and-a-half times the 12mph limit - along the section of track where it derailed.

The tram left the rails and overturned as it approached Sandilands Junction, south London, at 6.07am on last Wednesday.

More than 50 people were injured, eight severely, along with those who died.

The preliminary investigation found no evidence of track defects or a malfunction of the tram's braking system.

Chief Inspector of the RAIB, Simon French, said: “On behalf of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, I would like to send my condolences to those who have been injured and the families of those who died in this tragic accident.

"They will want to know the cause of the accident, and we will be in contact with them to keep them updated throughout our investigation, which will take some months to complete".

The tram's driver, Alfred Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, south London, was arrested at the scene and was questioned on suspicion of manslaughter before being bailed until May.

Mr French added that the RAIB had issued urgent safety advice to reduce the risk of trams approaching Sandilands Junction at excessive speed.

He said there was evidence that the driver applied the brakes but this only slowed the tram down by 6mph.

Transport for London has offered to pay for the funerals of all seven who died in the crash.

Those killed were: Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Logan, 52, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, Robert Huxley, 63, Mark Smith, 35, and Donald Collett, 62.