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First fatality on Oldham’s new Metrolink line
Reporter: ERIN HEYWOOD
Date online: 07 February 2013
AN elderly woman was killed by a tram near Failsworth Metrolink Station last night — the first person to die since the track opened in June.
Police and fire crews were called to the scene in Old Road, near Hardman Lane, at around 10.45pm following reports a pedestrian in her 80s had been hit by a tram.
The woman died about 160 yards from the station on the Oldham side.
The tragedy happened where pedestrians wouldn’t usually cross — away from crossings or roads.
Police have yet to release the woman’s name.
Metrolink was closed for the rest of evening, but services resumed this morning.
Peter Cushing, Metrolink director, said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the woman’s family. A full investigation is underway.
Comments
To be fare to Metrolink, from the reports, the person was somewhere they weren't supposed to be. Whether it was tram or train the out come would have been the same.
The tram travel at higher speed in the areas of segrigated running. The was little that the driver could have done.
As for buses from Oldham to Manchester.... It takes long enough by tram.
I think the problem with cars driving on the tram tracks may be due to sat nav which still assumes there is a roundabout at Mumps.If you are travelling away from the by pass towards Huddersfield Road at Mumps you are told by sat nav to take the second left turn and this takes you on to the tram tracks heading towards Shaw.Local people would not do this but someone unfamiliar with the town may,sorry for the family of the lady but it does appear she had wandered in to a non public area.
I knew the first comment would actually blame the trams for the accident. It's tragic that it happened but given where it happened wasn't a designated crossing point, it's hardly the fault of the metrolink. If someone is killed when walking across a motorway, it's not entirely the drivers fault is it?
Have Your Say
I said all along that people will be killed by this metrolink a few cars have drove up the tram line at mumps & now this!! was it really necessary to have it? they could have just put a few extra buses on the roads instead.
By Saddleworth's Finest @ 09/02/2013 09:38:02