The tram that derailed in Croydon killing seven people, was travelling more than three times over the speed limit, investigators have said.
In an interim report published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), investigators said the tram was “travelling at a speed of approximately 70 km/h (43.5 mph) as it entered the curve at Sandilands Junction, which had a maximum permitted speed of 20 km/h (12.5 mph)”.
As it took the corner at around 06:10 GMT on 9 November, the tram turned over onto its right side and travelled for approximately 25 metres before coming to a stop.
The factor that led to the tram speeding at the corner are still under investigation.
Seven people suffered fatal injuries in the accident. A further 51 people were taken to hospital, with eight of them suffering injuries described by the London Ambulance Service as “serious or life-threatening”.
