Sponsored by
Pensioner badly injured in tram crash
A PENSIONER is seriously ill in hospital after a tram accident on Blackpool Promenade.
An investigation has been launched after the 70-year-old holidaymaker collided with the tram yesterday morning at the Norbreck stop, opposite the Norbreck Castle Hotel, where she was enjoying a summer break.
Paramedics were called to the scene just after 10am and the woman, who was a guest at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
She has now been transferred to Royal Preston Hospital with serious head and chest injuries.
Tram passengers were forced to get off the vehicle and the tracks remained closed until 12.30pm as police and accident investigation teams examined the scene.
Residents passing the scene said the area was cordoned off.
Gail Atkinson, from Bispham, said: "There were police, two ambulances and cordons surrounding the Norbreck stop, it looked chaotic.
"A tram had stopped just by the stop, and people were surrounding it, looking shocked.
"I arrived just after the incident happened. It is terrible."
Holidaymakers spoke of their shock at seeing the aftermath of the incident from the hotel.
Clare Lennox, 38, from Coventry, said: "We heard the commotion from our room, a few floors up.
"There were loads of people getting off the tram, when we realised a woman had been hit it was a real shock.
"The tram seemed to be at a funny angle, like it had come off the rails slightly.
"I feel terrible for the man who was with her too, he ran inside to get some help."
Staff at Norbreck Castle confirmed the woman was a guest at the hotel.
A police spokesman said: "We received a call at around 10.10am with reports that a 70-year-old woman had been hit by a tram.
"She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with serious head and chest injuries, and later transferred to Royal Preston Hospital.
"Her companion, the man who was with her at the time of the accident, accompanied her to hospital.
"Accident investigators were sent to the scene, as well as track inspectors, and the accident is under investigation.
"The tracks reopened at around 12.30pm."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
