Tram tragedy down to lack of communication

Reporter: CHARLOTTE COURT
Date published: 22 October 2014


THE coroner at the inquest of an 85-year-old woman killed by a tram in February 2013 has criticised Metrolink’s communications system.

The jury at the two-day inquest returned a unanimous narrative conclusion which cited a “breakdown in communication” and “inadequate monitoring of CCTV” as reasons for the death of dementia sufferer Catherine Kenny.

Coroner Simon Nelson criticised Metrolink for its inactive use of control room CCTV, the informal nature of its track-side safety policy and the slow implementation of safety guidelines.

Mrs Kenny was killed when she walked on the tracks for a mile towards Failsworth station and was hit by a tram.

On the second day of the hearing Metrolink duty manager Michael Thompson gave evidence of Metrolink’s actions after the incident, and its subsequent changes to safety procedure.

Mr Nelson attempted to establish whether Mrs Kenny’s movements, captured on CCTV, should have been spotted in the control room.

Mr Thompson said action should have been taken if Mrs Kenny had been spotted on screen - but she wasn’t. Metrolink staff monitor 70 stations, each with between 6 and 18 cameras.

Mr Nelson acknowledged that staff had acted properly within teir existing guidelines but was critical of the 15 months it had taken Metrolink to implement new trackside sighting procedures.

“I can’t think of any fatality like this in the past, but one fatality is one too many,” said the coroner.

“If Metrolink’s system can be made more robust, I would like to see this implemented.”