Tram driver leaps for his life as lorry fails to stop at level crossing

TRAM driver Michael Kay leapt to safety as a truck crashed into his cab.

Police were called to the incident at Seaton crossing, on the A3052 in East Devon, shortly before 10am yesterday.

A truck driver failed to stop at the level crossing and ploughed into the side of the oncoming tram, causing damage to the driver's cab and track.

Mr Kay, 67, said he was left "shaken but not stirred" by the experience.

"I was approaching Colyford and stopped the tram to go and switch the warning signals on," said Mr Kay.

"I went back to the tram and waited two or three minutes and then proceeded to cross the crossing.

"I was going about two or three miles per hour when I heard a deep growling noise and saw a truck hurtling around the corner.

"At the last minute the driver spotted what was going on and tried to stop.

"I took my foot off the pedal and the tram stopped immediately, but the truck was still coming towards me, so I jumped out of the cab.

"I thought I was going to the big tram depot in the sky.

"The tram got a reasonable hit on the front and there was damage to the track because the force caused the back of the tram to move.

"The track was repaired by a team of engineers and the service is completely back to normal and running on time."

Mr Kay, who has driven trams for four years, said he was not worried about getting back to his job — all he needed was a cup of tea and a biscuit first.

"This sort of thing is something we train for. We go through absolutely everything and what we should do in each circumstance," he said.

"I was prepared and I reacted by the book."

Colin Brown, operations director of Seaton Tramways, said it was good fortune that the tram was not carrying any passengers and nobody was injured.

"The empty tram was going towards Colyton to pick up a coach group," said Mr Brown.

"Had it been carrying passengers, I dread to think what could have happened."

A police spokeswoman said: "As with all railway crossings, a tramway crossing is a dangerous place.

"Motorists and pedestrians need to stick to the highway code for everyone's safety."

The spokeswoman said the crossing has flashing lights and bells that sound on the approach of a tram.

"It is clear to people when it is and is not safe to cross," she said.

"We will be looking into the matter and considering whether the truck driver failed to stop at a red light."