TRAM HORROR
Man is run down and killed while crossing tracks, amid claim that drivers ‘just do not stop for anyone’
A MAN was killed after he was hit by a tram yesterday in the first death of its kind in Scotland in almost 60 years.
The victim was struck on tracks close to Saughton tram stop in Edinburgh around 12.15pm.
Members of the public made desperate attempts to save his life, performing CPR next to the tracks.
But police later confirmed the man, who has not yet been named, died at the scene from his injuries.
The death is the first on the route since it opened in May 2014 and the first tram death in Scotland since 1959.
One witness who was working nearby said he heard the tram sound its bell before he heard ‘a thump’.
Darren Hoy, 39, said: ‘I was just sorting out the lock-up, I saw everything.
‘I heard the tram bells ringing, ding ding ding, and then a thump. A massive thump.
‘You could see the ticket folk giving the guy CPR. Ambulances and police came. It took the police a while longer to come.
‘They were giving him CPR for about 20, 30 minutes, but you know if it is that long there’s not much chance of making it.
‘The tram driver was in total shock. You could tell he was like, “What have I done?” He had his head in his hands.
‘The thing is, it could have easily been avoided. The tram was ringing for a while.
‘The tram drivers just do not stop for anyone. So it’s up to the person to get off the tracks.’
Services between the city centre and the airport were disrupted for around four hours. No one else was hurt.
Local resident Natalie Lennox, 22, said neighbours told her they, too, had heard the tram bell ringing before the incident.
She added: ‘I saw all the police cars parked up. I’m sure there must have been maybe 15 police cars parked up.’
Angela Stone, 54, said: ‘I heard the bell ringing earlier but didn’t think anything of it. Then when I came down here I saw his body covered up next to the tracks on the grass.
‘An ambulance came up the side lane, opposite the main road on the other side of the track, to take him away. It’s an awful tragedy.’
City of Edinburgh Council’s transport convener Lesley Macinnes said: ‘This is dreadfully sad news and I’d like to offer my deepest condolences to the gentleman’s family and friends.
‘We are working closely with Police Scotland to investigate what happened.’
She added: ‘Tram services remain suspended whilst officers carry out a collision investigation and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 101, quoting reference 1319 of September 11.’
A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams said: ‘First and foremost we would like to stress that our thoughts and sympathy are with the man’s family.
‘As well as conducting our own investigation into the incident we are, of course, cooperating fully with both the police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
‘As investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.’
Services on the line returned to normal shortly after 4pm.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police were called to Saughton tram stop at around 12.15pm on Tuesday, September 11, following a collision between a tram and a pedestrian.
‘The man suffered serious injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.’
The last time someone was killed by a tram in Scotland was nearly 60 years ago, when a Glasgow Corporation Tramways tram collided with a lorry and caught fire on January 28, 1959. Two passengers and the driver of the tram died and 30 people were injured.
‘The driver was in total shock’