Driver in tram crash ‘probably fell asleep’

The driver involved in the Croydon tram crash that killed seven people may have fallen into a “microsleep”, lasting up to 49 seconds, an investigation has found.

Alfred Dorris, 43, from Beckenham, south-east London, was driving the tram when it came off the tracks at almost four times the speed limit on Nov 9 last year – the worst accident involving a British tram in more than 90 years. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) believe it is “probable” he “temporarily lost awareness”.

The RAIB made 15 recommendations including that operator Tram Operations Ltd, owned by Firstgroup, review management of driver fatigue.