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The driver of the tram which overturned leaving five people dead and more than 50 in hospital has been arrested.
The tragedy happened when the tram derailed on a sharp bend near Sandilands station in Croydon early on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters worked throughout the day to free trapped passengers although two remain inside the wreckage.
British Transport Police confirmed to the Standard that the driver has now been arrested and remains in custody.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm an arrest has been made in connection with the Croydon incident."
They added: "Five people have sadly died following this incident. More than 50 others have been taken to hospital with injuries.
London mayor Sadiq Khan sent his "thoughts and prayers" to everyone involved in the crash, also praising the emergency services for "working extremely hard under very difficult circumstances".
Witnesses said the incident, involving a two-carriage vehicle, happened on a fast bend near a tunnel.
Police confirmed they were called to the scene near Sandilands tram stop in Croydon at around 6.10am.
Officers said they were dealing with a “very serious” incident.
“Multiple resources” from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service were also on the scene.
London Fire Brigade sent eight fire engines and more than 70 firefighters to the scene at Addiscombe Road.
Fire crews using specialist equipment freed a number of people but two remained inside the tram at 9.45am.
Croydon University Hospital advised people with minor routine ailments to stay away this afternoon while staff treated 31 casualties for their injuries.
Media relations officer Hannah Collier, 23, who lives nearby, said she saw people being carried away on stretchers.
She said: “I was in bed watching the election when I heard a massive crash at about 6.15am, which I thought was the wind.
“Then I heard people shouting and then the emergency services arriving. Later I saw at least one person being brought out on a stretcher.
“I’d say there are roughly 20-30 emergency vehicles there now, then they started bringing up the casualties, some very seriously injured.”
Adil Salahi, whose property overlooks the track, said the noise he heard was “sudden”.
The 76-year-old said: “It was about 6.10am to 6.15am and because I was praying I could not move and try to check what it is. I thought it was something in the garage doors. Then I thought it was some lorry.”
James Long, who lives metres away from the scene, said: “It happened on a sharp bend on the approach to Sandilands tram stop.
“I’ve never seen so any emergency services attend a scene.”
Miguel John, who was on a bus to Bromley when it stopped by Sandilands tram stop, added: “The road hadn’t been shut off yet but emergency services were already at the scene, this would have been around 6.30am.
“By this point more emergency services were flooding to the scene and a police car shut off the road with vehicles being ushered down Elgin Road towards Addiscombe.
“But it was obvious it was very, very serious due to the amount of emergency services at the scene.
“At first there would have been roughly between six or 10 [vehicles], as time passed a lot more arrived and continued to arrive.
“Visibly from where I was about two fire engines, two to three ambulances, several police cars and then more arrived as time went on.
“I think that’s how everyone knew it was very serious, especially how quickly they acted to shut off the road.”
The tram derailed on a stretch of track around 200 metres from Sandilands tram station where emergency crews could be seen working alongside the carriage.
The carriage was lying diagonally across the tracks at an interchange.
Empty stretchers could be seen laid on the side of the track.
The scene is overlooked by a small road bridge and concealed from view by trees and foliage.
The Croydon Tramlink line was closed between Reeves Corner and Addiscombe village, while police set up a cordon stretching more than 400 metres along Addiscombe road.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of those who have lost their lives today and everyone involved in this tragic incident.
“I am in contact with the emergency services and TfL, who are working extremely hard under very difficult circumstances to get the situation under control and treat those who have been injured.
We have set up a number for relatives and friends to call for more information: 0800 056 0154."
The Croydon Tramlink opened in 2000 and became the first tram system in London since 1952.
The network consists of 39 stops along 17 miles of track, a mixture of street track shared with other traffic, dedicated track in public roads and off-street tram lines.
Tram accidents are extremely rare and most incidents involve collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians or cyclist being hit by trams.
Earlier this year a tram derailed in Melbourne, Australia after colliding with a car.
In 2007 a tourist tram at Seaton in Devon derailed thugh there were no injuries. The cause was suspected to be someone placing an object in the points.
The London Ambulance Service said more than 50 people had been taken to hospital.
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