Memorial: Central Parade, New Addington, has staged an annual service for the victims of the tram crash since 2017

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Sandilands tram disaster, Croydon Council has made an appeal to seek members of the community to join a steering group to help formulate plans for a special memorial.

The first working group meeting was due to be held this week.

Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith lost their lives in the derailment, in which more than 60 people were injured when their early morning tram left the tracks near Sandilands tram stop on November 9 in 2016.

The effort to mark the occasion on the 10th anniversary is being co-ordinated by Croydon’s civic Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Islam.

A memorial stone has been erected in New Addington, where many of the victims of the disaster lived, and that has been where a memorial service has been staged since.

In a letter to residents and community members from the civic Mayor’s office, it says, “For this anniversary, we would like to organise a special memorial.

“To help us shape this, we would like to bring together people who were impacted by the tragedy into a working group. We have contacted the families of those who lost their lives to invite them to be part of the group.

“We would lso like to hear from anyone else in the community who was impacted and would like to help us create something special for this important anniversary… Your voice can help shape a meaningful and respectful commemoration.”

Those interested in finding out more are invited to email Yvonne Gaye at thirdsector@croydon.gov.uk

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