11.01.17
RAIB investigates fatal Sheffield tram accident
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has decided to investigate a fatal accident just before Christmas in which a Sheffield man was killed by a tram.
At around 10am on 22 December 2016 a pedestrian, who had just stepped off an inbound tram, was killed by an out-bound tram while using the crossing at the northern end of Woodbourn Road tram stop. The tram was travelling from Sheffield city centre towards the Meadowhall station.
The RAIB have reported that because the tram had not been requested to stop at Woodbourn Road by passengers on board, it was travelling at around 13mph at the time of the accident.
“Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident and consider any factors which may have influenced the actions of the tram driver and the pedestrian. It will also consider any relevant underlying management factors,” an RAIB statement said.
The crossing in question at Woodbourn Road tram stop traverses both tracks and offers pedestrians a pathway between the inbound platform of the stop and Woodbourn Road.
The RAIB’s investigation into the accident will take place independently of any investigation by Stagecoach Supertram, which runs the service, the ORR or South Yorkshire Police.
The RAIB will publish its findings on the accident, including any safety recommendations, on its website once the investigation has been completed.
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