Ten years on: Wayne Trakas-Lawlor, as civic Mayor, represented the borough through a traumatic period for Croydon after the tram derailment
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the terrible tragedy of the Sandilands tram crash, WAYNE TRAKAS-LAWLOR, who was Croydon’s civic Mayor at the time, remembers that devastating time
November 9, 2016, is a day that I will never forget. It is hard to believe that 10 years have almost passed.
I had spent much of the night watching the results of the United States Presidential election coming in, which, frankly, concerned me. But by the following morning, something far closer to home would put everything else into perspective.
At around 7am, as I was having breakfast, I received a call from my husband, Michael. His voice was trembling, which immediately frightened me. Michael never called me on his way to work. I knew he had bad news.
He told me that he had heard from fellow commuters at East Croydon that a tram had crashed close to the Sandilands tram stop and that there were almost certainly fatalities.
I could not quite process the gravity of what he was telling me.
By 7.30am, I had received a call from the council chief executive, strongly suggesting that all mayoral engagements be cancelled because of the seriousness of the crash. It was at that point that I had to prepare myself for what I knew was likely to come.
Victims: From left Philip Logan, Donald Collett and Robert Huxley
A few miles away, someone’s husband or wife, their son or daughter, someone’s mother, father, brother or sister had been seriously injured or killed. At that moment, the fragility of life became all too apparent.
I was a councillor at the time and that year’s civic or ceremonial Mayor, representing the borough at hundreds of formal, and some less formal, occasions. On that day, November 9 2016, I had an engagement at 8am at Bernard Weatherill House — a job fair.
News of the tram crash had reached BWH, and I was approached by a council officer who briefed me on the latest developments. At that stage, we knew that at least two people had died instantly and that several others were seriously injured.
I approached the facilitator and asked what the format of the event would be in light of the crash, and whether the room might be needed at short notice for the loved ones of those affected.
Victims: From left, Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz
I spoke briefly, thanked the organisers and everyone who had turned up, and asked that the job fair be organised again at the earliest opportunity.
I then made my way to the Mayor’s office in the Town Hall, where I watched the television news coverage with the deputy mayor, Councillor Toni Letts.
As reports came in confirming more fatalities, we were incredibly upset. I contacted the democratic services office at the council and asked for a Book of Condolence to be opened in the Town Hall reception area. I also asked for the flags to be flown at half-staff.
As the days passed, those killed in the crash were named:
Dane Chinnery, Philip Seary, Mark Smith, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Donald Collett, Philip Logan and Robert Huxley.
Their ages ranged from 19 to 63. Five of the seven people who died lived in New Addington.
Michael and I attended three of the seven funerals: those of Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery and Philip Logan.
All three services were deeply moving, but the funeral I will always remember was that of Dane Chinnery at Croydon Crematorium.
Dane was a Crystal Palace fan, and the service was very much Crystal Palace themed. Hundreds of mourners attended. The chapel was full, as was the area immediately outside. There must have been more than 500 people there, with hundreds more mourners standing outside.
Memorial: Central Parade, New Addington, will stage a special service for victims of the 2016 tram crash on Monday
It was a beautiful service.
We were also invited to attend a service of remembrance in New Addington. That, too, was deeply moving.
On that occasion, Michael and I deliberately chose not to wear our chains of office. We sat at the back of the place of worship. Mayoral protocol normally dictates that the Mayor and Consort should wear their chains of office at official events. We felt that protocol did not apply on this occasion. We were not there as dignitaries. We were there to remember the victims and to offer whatever support we could.
As Mayor, I was something of a protocol-breaker anyway.
After the service, we met some of the victims’ families, and I felt an immediate connection with them. I spoke briefly with Mr Chinnery, Dane’s father, and offered our condolences. He thanked us for taking the time to attend.
Philip Logan’s widow, Marilyn, also thanked us for coming and then asked whether we would like a drink. Sadly, we had to decline because we had another engagement.
I would have loved to have stayed — to have had that drink and listened to the stories of Phil and Dane.
Those small, human moments are among the things I remember most.
The special full council meeting came next. It was one of the most touching Town Hall meetings I have ever attended. Members from across the political spectrum delivered heartfelt tributes.
Some speeches went beyond the usual three-minute limit.
Normally, as chair of council meetings, I would have been expected to keep the meeting moving. But this was not a normal council meeting.
I was not about to interrupt anyone.
The meeting flowed naturally, and members were given the time they needed to say what they needed to say.
It was difficult to hold back my own tears when I read out the names of those who had died.
Nothing can prepare you for a tragedy of this magnitude.
‘For a brief period, Croydon came together as I had never seen before’: Trakas-Lawlor has vivid recollections of Nov 2016
Yet somehow, when we met the victims’ families, we felt an instant connection.
I remember meeting Mr Chinnery at another event and asking him about Dane’s passion for Crystal Palace — who his favourite player was and how often he went to matches. His face lit up as he talked about his son’s favourite team.
As Crystal Palace is also my team, I told him that the family clearly had exceptionally good taste.
I remember him smiling warmly. It was a small moment, but it has stayed with me.
Ten years on, I still think about those seven people and the families and friends they left behind.
They were individuals with jobs, interests, hopes and dreams. They were part of the fabric of Croydon.
And their loss affected an entire community.
Croydon came together during that terrible period in a way I had never seen before — and, sadly, have not seen since.
People came together who might otherwise never have spoken. Neighbours who had lived alongside each other for years, but who had previously done little more than exchange a passing wave, suddenly found themselves talking, supporting one another and sharing their grief.
Councillors from different political parties came together in a rare display of genuine unity. Political differences mattered far less than our shared humanity.
For a brief period, Croydon came together as I had never seen before. Politics did not matter; we were unified in grieving for our community.
Ten years later, that is what I remember most.
I remember the people.
I remember the families.
I remember a community coming together in grief and compassion.
And I remember seven lives that were lost far too soon.
We remember them.
We remember their families.
And we will never forget.
- Alderman Wayne Trakas-Lawlor was a councillor for South Norwood ward from 2010 to 2018, and civic Mayor of Croydon 2016-2017. He now lives in the United States
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