Croydon tram crash: Transport for London offers to pay funeral costs of victims

Tram crash: Seven people were killed
PA / Sky News
Mark Chandler16 November 2016

Transport for London has offered to pay for the funerals of the seven people killed in the Croydon tram crash.

The operator pledged to do "everything we can to support the families and all those affected", following the derailment.

An interim report into the crash, which happened when the tram derailed during the morning rush hour on November 9, will be published on Wednesday.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) will publish its initial findings into why the two-carriage tram came off the tracks, killing six men and one woman, and leaving more than 50 injured.

From left to right: Dorota Rynkiewicz, Dane Chinnery, Philip Seary and Mark Smith

An RAIB spokesman revealed last week that the vehicle was travelling at a "significantly higher speed" than the 12mph limit for that section of the network.

The organisation's interim report will be published on Wednesday afternoon with a full report not expected for several months.

Victims: Donald Collett (left) and Philip Logan
British Transport Police

The tram's driver, Alfred Dorris, 42, from Beckenham, was arrested at the scene and was questioned on suspicion of manslaughter before being bailed until May.

A spokeswoman for First Group, which carries out the day-to-day operation of the trams, said he had worked at the company since March 2008.

"Loving husband": Robert Huxley 
British Transport Police

It is understood that establishing if Mr Dorris was asleep or had blacked out are lines of inquiry.

The contents of a so-called black box data recorder on the tram were downloaded by investigators.

The seven victims of the crash were Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Logan, 52, Philip Seary, 57, Dorota Rynkiewicz, 35, and Robert Huxley, 63, all from New Addington, and Mark Smith, 35 and Donald Collett, 62, both from Croydon.

Mike Brown, London's Transport Commissioner, said: "We are doing everything we can to support the families and all those affected at this incredibly difficult time for them.

"This includes covering funeral costs and travel expenses for relatives. The TfL Sarah Hope line is available 24 hours a day to provide advice on a whole range of matters and immediate financial and other support."

On Tuesday, Croydon council announced plans for two permanent memorials to the victims.

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