ALL ABOARD THE TRAM

There are an awful lot of people in  my home town who have been traumatised by the recent Croydon tram disaster. Not just the families and friends of the 7 killed (5 out of the 7 from New Addington); not just the families and friends of the 50 plus whose injuries were treated in hospital, some of whom had limbs amputated and whose lives will be changed forever; not just the other passengers on that early morning tram, nor the Croydon residents whose homes overlook the scene of the derailment; not the members of the emergency services who worked hard in terrible circumstances, and saw things nobody ever should; but also those in a tight-knit Community who will be looking for missing familiar faces, and will be reluctant to do that everyday thing they've been doing for years - board a tram to work. Some may never be able to work again.

This was brought home to me very graphically today, Friday 18th November 2016.. I went into the local chemist, leaving my OH waiting outside. It took a while for my prescription to be found. On leaving the shop, OH looked upset. He told me that whilst waiting outside, near the large mound of floral tributes left in honour of the killed and injured, a man of similar age to ourselves, that is around retirement age, approached him. He studied my OH intently then asked if he had been on that tram, as he often saw him on it on the way to work. OH told him that no, he didn't use the tram much these days as he had been transferred from Croydon to another nick in Bromley, and anyway he had been on leave that week.

The man, whom OH indeed recognised as a fellow passenger, told him he had been on that tram, sitting near the back next to one of the deceased victims. He himself had suffered broken arms, but his companion, a man well known to me, had been decapitated. My OH asked him how he was doing, and he said he was getting support and counselling, and his injuries would heal, but he did not know when he would be ready to resume his daily tram journey. My husband told him he must not rush at it, for even those not on that particular tram, including himself, would be wondering how they could carry on. The man said goodbye and went on his way, hopefully reassured that there was still one familiar face alive and well.

OH has been commuting in London for 50 years. This tragedy has affected him deeply, not just the 'what if' factor but also the long term effects on transport in the area. He is now thinking about organising a support group for those who will find it hard to get back on the trams when they are up and running again. His idea is for people like him to offer to ride with any nervous passengers. Being of pensionable age he has a travel pass so it would be no cost to him and he has the time. I was surprised at his suggestion as he is quite a private man, not always comfortable in social situations. This illustrates the effect this tragedy has had on this community.

It has since been pointed out to me that my OH bears a strong resemblance to the above mentioned acquaintance of mine who died on the tram, both are/were tall and heavily built, with a thick mop of fair hair, and a distinctive rather stooping gait, as many tall people have.  We can't help but wonder if the injured man was initially spooked by my OH, and if others may have a similar reaction.

There will be many regular travellers users of that early tram who were not on it that day for whatever reason, who will be coming to terms with their lucky escape, and wondering how they can carry on travelling by tram, especially as the accident has not been properly explained as yet except the official report has stated that the tram was travelling at almost 4 times over the speed limit at that point. Why this was has yet to be discovered. Pity the driver if it turns out to be his error.

We will have to leave the various inquiries to the experts, and it must not be rushed. We all need to know, whatever problems are uncovered, that they are rigorously addressed and demonstrably rectified, before we can feel confident on trams again, and indeed on any of the overcrowded means of public transport in London. In the meantime, this Community will continue to support each other through this sensitive time when the wounds that can heal are slowly healing but the nightmares are just beginning.