Tributes for ‘wonderful’ father, 53, killed by tram
‘A particularly upsetting incident’
TRIBUTES have poured in for a father who became the first person to be killed by a tram in Scotland for nearly 60 years.
Carlos Correa Palacio, 53, died at the scene of the collision near Saughton tram stop in Edinburgh around 12.15pm on Tuesday.
Friends and family paid tribute to Mr Correa Palacio, who is understood to be Colombian but has lived in Edinburgh with his wife for a number of years. Officers said the incident was ‘particularly upsetting’ for those on the tram who saw the collision.
Members of the public made desperate attempts to save his life, performing CPR next to the tracks.
Police Scotland, Edinburgh Trams and the city council are investigating the incident.
The death is the first on the route since it opened in May 2014 and the first tram death in Scotland since 1959, when a Glasgow tram collided with a lorry and caught fire.
The victim’s two sons, Callum Correa and Carlos Correa Junior both posted photos of their father online yesterday.
One person commented on the image: ‘He is a great man. He has two sons and a daughter who love him dearly and this made his soul full. It is important to remember that he is at great peace now.’
Another said: ‘So sorry for your loss. Can’t begin to imagine what you are going through. Sending love to you and the family.’
Meanwhile, another tribute said: ‘We just lost a wonderful human being, my son-in-law Carlos. I pray to God strength for my daughter and grandchildren Callum and Junior.’
A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams said yesterday an investigation was under way and that it was unable to comment.
Sergeant John Easton, from Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, said: ‘My thoughts are with Carlos’s family and friends and we are providing specialist support to them. They have requested that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.
‘This was a particularly upsetting incident for all those who witnessed it, both passengers on the tram and the driver. Officers spent considerable time yesterday both speaking to people at the scene and examining the tram, and we will continue to investigate to establish the circumstances.
‘I am keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the collision but has not yet spoken to officers. Please contact us on 101.’
Edinburgh Trams said on Tuesday: ‘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, co-operating fully with both the police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.’
The tram line was closed for nearly four hours on Tuesday afternoon as road traffic officers carried out an investigation.
In the 1959 tram accident, two passengers and the driver died and 30 people were injured.