At least seven killed in London tram accident, driver arrested

At least seven people were killed and more than 50 injured when a tram overturned on Wednesday morning in south London.

Early indications were that the tram was travelling too fast on a sharp bend, investigators said.

Emergency services were called at about 6:10am (7:10am CET) to reports that the two-carriage tram had derailed near a stop close to central Croydon, a large suburb to the south of the British capital and a major transport hub.

"We can confirm a total of at least seven people have sadly died at Croydon," police said in a statement. "Officers continue to work at the scene.”

The 42-year-old male driver, from Beckenham, is being held on suspicion of manslaughter and is currently in custody, British Transport police said.

The crash occurred near to Sandilands junction on a sharp, left-hand curve as the tram was approaching a stop as it travelled from New Addington to Wimbledon. There is a 20km/h speed limit on the section in question, which is on old rail tracks. The Croydon trams have a top speed of around 50mph.

A London Ambulance spokesman said 51 others had been taken to hospital, some with serious injuries. Eight fire engines, five specialist rescue units and more than 70 firefighters attended the scene using heavy cutting equipment to free those trapped.

Television pictures showed the tram lying on its side across the tracks not far from the Sandilands stop near a junction where the line divides. Police said investigations were ongoing into the cause of the accident which took place in heavy rain.