BuzzFeed News has learned that the official investigation into a tram crash in London on Wednesday that killed seven people, and reportedly injured more than 50, will be the eleventh such investigation into Croydon Tramlink in as many years.
The previous ten have included four derailment incidents and the others included collisions with pedestrians and vehicles, including a bus in 2008, according to public records.
A spokesperson for Tramlink, which is owned by First Group, said that the incidents were "all very different from each other in scope and cause".
The Department for Transport's Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) confirmed on Thursday it will collect evidence needed to "identify factors relevant to the cause of the accident and its consequences."
Police arrested the driver of the tram, which derailed in Croydon, the British Transport police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon. Pedestrians nearby said they heard a “massive crash” during the early hours of the morning. A 19-year-old, Dane Chinnery, has been named as one of the victims who lost their life in the crash.
"The derailment occurred on the curve and initial indications suggest that the tram was travelling at a significantly higher speed than is permitted," the RAIB said in a statement.
The RAIB also confirmed to BuzzFeed News the investigation would not be the first into incidents reported on Croydon's trams.
The Office of Rail and Road, the safety authority, which also overseas network incidents, stressed they took place in different circumstances and were unrelated, including trams derailing at slow speeds, or colliding but causing no injury.
In 2014, a tram also derailed travelling between New Addington to Wimbledon near the Mitcham Junction tram stop.
There was also a derailment at East Croydon in 2012, causing no reported injuries, and two at Phipps Bridge in both 2005 and 2006.
The others six investigations were for collisions with pedestrians and vehicles, including a bus in 2008, according to public records.
In 2012, Sandilands, the same stop as Wednesday's crash, was subject to an accident investigation after a pedestrian was struck by a tram as she crossed the tramway on a foot.
The impact resulted in the pedestrian falling into the space between the platform and the tram and she suffered serious injuries.
Speaking after the incident on Wednesday, BTP deputy chief constable Adrian Hanstock said: “This is a tragic incident and our hearts and thoughts go out to all those affected."
In a Facebook post, London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in contact with emergency services and Transport for London (TfL), who he said were "working extremely hard to get the situation under control and treat those who have been injured".
FirstGroup CEO Tim O’Toole said: “I am shocked and saddened by what happened yesterday. At this time, our primary concern is for our passengers and employees who were affected.
“At this stage we do not know the details of what caused the incident. It is absolutely essential that we find out exactly what happened yesterday and this could take some time," he added.
"We are working closely with Transport for London and the accident investigators and will continue to provide every assistance to the ongoing investigation.”
According to RAIB figures, there have also been six instances involving trams investigated in Manchester since 2005, three of which were derailments. There were also two incidents in Birmingham investigated, one of which was a derailment in 2007.