Tram 'was speeding' through Sheffield when passenger was flung into door

A tram was speeding through Sheffield when the driver braked, sending a passenger hurtling into a door, an investigation has found
The curve approaching the Middlewood Road tram terminus in Sheffield, where the passenger was injured (pic: Google)The curve approaching the Middlewood Road tram terminus in Sheffield, where the passenger was injured (pic: Google)
The curve approaching the Middlewood Road tram terminus in Sheffield, where the passenger was injured (pic: Google)

The vehicle was travelling at about 23mph - 13mph over the speed limit - as it passed through a curve approaching the Middlewood Road terminus on July 19, shortly before 4pm, according to initial findings by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

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The report states: "The tram's motion through the curve and the subsequent braking caused a passenger to be thrown across the tram and to strike a door. The passenger was injured and part of the door mechanism was broken causing the door to come open."

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The watchdog said it had undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and having assessed the evidence so far had decided to publish a 'safety digest'.

The RAIB can choose to publish a safety digest rather than carrying out a full investigation when it is clear the safety learning from an event has been identified by a previous investigation, relates to compliance with existing rules or is local in nature.

It said the safety digest would be published in the next few weeks.

The report does not state the severity of the passenger's injuries.

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A spokeswoman for Stagecoach Supertram said: "An incident occurred involving one of our vehicles on Thursday, July 19 in which a passenger was injured.

"Our best wishes are with the passenger involved. We are investigating the circumstances involved and will also assist the relevant authorities with their inquiries into the incident."