The 47-year-old, from Gleadless, suffered serious head injuries after she was struck on Gleadless Road, around 50 metres from its junction with White Lane last night.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident but it has been reported to officers that the woman was walking along the tram tracks before she was struck.

The tram driver is believed to have applied the emergency brake and sounded the horn to alert the woman, but was unable to avoid a collision.

There were around 20 passengers on the tram at the time but none were injured.

Paul Kidder, who was travelling to his home in Beighton on the tram, said: "Everybody on board the tram was really upset.

"It was quiet distressing because nobody could see what had happened.

"The driver was consoled by one of the passengers on board - she was in tears."

Police say the injured woman was rushed to the Northern General Hospital with severe head injuries where she remains today.

Witnesses to the collision, which happened at around 7.50pm, should call the South Yorkshire Police Accident Witness Line on 0114 2202970.

Back to main news index