Fatal tram driver ‘ had microsleep’

Seven died after he ‘dozed off for up to 49 seconds’

The driver of the crashed Croydon tram may have fallen into a ‘ microsleep’ before the final bend, investigators have concluded.

In its final report on the tragedy, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the ‘most likely’ cause was a ‘temporary loss of awareness’ by driver Alfred Dorris.

This meant he failed to deploy the brakes properly – leading the tram to speed towards the curve at Sandilands junction at almost four times the 12.5mph limit. Seven passengers were killed and 61 injured in the resulting crash.

Investigators also revealed a series of missed warnings that could have prevented the tragedy.

Mr Dorris, 43, escaped the crash with light injuries and is currently on bail after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

The RAIB believes it is ‘probable’ he ‘ temporarily lost awareness’ on a straight section of track in the run up to the bend, and may have fallen into a microsleep for up to 49 seconds.

Such unintended sleeps can last ‘from a fraction of a second to a few minutes’, they said. When Mr Dorris, from Beckenham in south east London, roused from his disorientation, he initially believed the tram was travelling in the opposite direction.

According to the report, ‘he said he did not realise he was approaching Sandilands until the tram turned into the curve’. It meant it sped into the bend at 45mph.

The RAIB said British Transport Police found no traces of alcohol, drugs of abuse or medication likely to affect performance when it examined Mr Dorris after the accident. Investigators found no evidence his shift pattern posed an ‘exceptional risk of fatigue’. Since the accident bosses have installed infra-red eye monitors in each cab on the Croydon tram network.

But the RAIB revealed the authorities missed several opportunities that might have protected passengers. Nine drivers had previously been forced to use their emergency brake to comply with the speed limit at Sandilands. The RAIB said the Office of Rail and Road regulator, tram operator First Group and Transport for London had not fully grasped the danger posed by late braking at this section due to some drivers’ ‘reluctance’ to report their mistakes because they ‘feared the consequences’.

It warned the ‘overall level of risk on tramways, and the potential for multiple fatality accidents is higher than previously assumed’.

Concerns over fatigue due to shift patterns had also been raised by a whistleblower three years before the tragedy.

First Group chief Tim O’Toole said: ‘The RAIB concluded that management of fatigue was not a factor in the incident, nor did a speeding culture contribute to it.

‘Nevertheless, over the past year we have taken a series of actions, working closely with TFL ... to implement additional measures.’