Press releases

ORR launches prosecution over Sandilands tram crash

24 March 2022
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is prosecuting Transport for London, Tram Operations Limited and tram driver Alfred Dorris following a detailed and thorough investigation into the fatal Sandilands tram derailment in November 2016.
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Image of overturned tram at Sandilands junction, by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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ORR’s prosecution is for breaches of health and safety law.

Transport for London (TfL) is alleged by ORR to have failed to ensure the health and safety of passengers on the Croydon Tramlink network, so far as reasonably practicable.

Tram Operations Limited, which runs the tram service on TfL’s behalf, is also alleged to have failed to ensure the health and safety of passengers on the network, so far as reasonably practicable.

Driver Alfred Dorris has been accused of an alleged failure as an employee to take reasonable care of passengers whilst employed at work driving the tram.

A hearing will take place at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, with a date to be set shortly.

ORR’s HM Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser CBE said:

“My thoughts are with the families of the seven people who lost their lives on 9 November 2016, the many more injured and everyone whose lives have been impacted as a result of this incident.

“Following a detailed and thorough investigation, we’ve taken the decision to prosecute Transport for London, Tram Operations Limited and driver Alfred Dorris for what we believe to be health and safety failings.

“We’ve made a fair, independent and objective assessment about what happened, and it is now for the court to consider if any health and safety law has been breached.”

Notes to editor

  1. The Office of Rail and Road is the economic and safety regulator of Britain's railway - including light rail, trams and heritage. As the health and safety regulator for the rail industry, we deliver advice and enforcement to help ensure the safety of both passengers and workers. 

  2. Where we find significant failings, we use our powers to bring about improvement, including taking formal enforcement action.

  3. ORR’s prosecution alleges breaches of sections 3(1) against Transport for London and Tram Operations Limited and 7(a) against Alfred Dorris under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

  4. ORR would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Transport for London, Tram Operations Limited and Alfred Dorris are active and that they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could in any way prejudice these proceedings.