Croydon tram crash: owner and operator both plead guilty

The first court hearing has taken place in prosecutions against the owner, operator and driver involved in the Croydon tram crash on November 9 2016.

Transport for London (TfL) and FirstGroup-owned Tram Operations Limited (TOL) pleaded guilty to failings under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The driver, Alfred Dorris, pleaded not guilty.

Seven passengers died and 51 were injured when a tram derailed at speed on a sharp curve.

The first court hearing for the prosecution, by the Office of Rail and Road, took place at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on June 10.

TfL and TOL are accused of “alleged failures to ensure the health and safety of passengers, so far as reasonably practicable”. Having pleaded guilty, they will now be sentenced at a later date.

Driver Dorris is accused of “an alleged failure as an employee to take reasonable care of passengers whilst employed at work driving the tram”.

The matter has now been sent to the Crown Court for a pretrial hearing, which will list future hearings, when evidence from the ORR and Driver Dorris will be heard.