Police have named the last three victims of the Croydon tram crash in which seven people died. Donald Collett, from Croydon, and Philip Logan and Robert Huxley, both from New Addington, were named on Saturday evening, as another report of a tram travelling too fast emerged.
Friends and family of 62-year-old Collett described him as a “well-loved, funny and generous man who could light up a room with his smile”.
“He is tragically leaving behind a loving family, partner, adored friends and work colleagues,” they said. “Please rest in peace and know you are truly loved and greatly missed.”
The family of Logan, who was 52, said he would be “immensely missed”.
“He was a true family man and generous friend to all with a magnificently dry sense of humour,” the family said. “Phil was a man with more love compassion and zest for life than words can express.”
Six men and one woman died and more than 50 people were injured when the commuter tram overturned early on Wednesday morning. The others killed were identified earlier this week as Mark Smith, Dane Chinnery, Phil Seary and Dorota Rynkiewicz.
Investigators have said the tram was travelling at a significantly higher speed than it was meant to. A report of a tram on the same line travelling too fast on 22 October was being investigated by police along with an earlier report from 31 October.
The driver of the crashed tram, a 42-year-old man from Beckenham, south London, was released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
On Saturday, family and friends of those killed held a tribute march. Up to 100 people walked to the spot where the tram derailed, and laid flowers and wreathes. Many were wearing the colours of Crystal Palace, whom Chinnery and Seary supported. The football club will hold a minute’s silence before its next home game, against Manchester City, on 19 November.
An experienced former tram driver told the Times that there were “crazy” shift rotas, and the left turn where the crash took place was known as a nasty bend.
A spokesman for the tram operator FirstGroup said shifts were arranged with the consent of drivers and trade unions, adding: “We are dedicated to safety which is central to our culture and values as a transport business.”
Repair work has begun on the line following the removal of the crashed carriages on Saturday morning.
