Executive summary
On Tuesday 21 November 2006, at about 1120, Tram 244, operated by Christchurch Tramway Limited, lost its air brake after striking a traffic warning cone. The tram then collided with the rear motor vehicle in a line of cars stopped for a traffic signal. The impact pushed the car forward into a nose-to-tail collision with two cars ahead of it.
The tram sustained minor damage and 3 cars were extensively damaged. There were no injuries.
A safety issue identified was the lack of consultation between Christchurch City Council, its contractor and Christchurch Tramway Limited before starting road maintenance work. Safety recommendations covering this issue were made to the Chief Executive of Christchurch City Council, as principal, and the Operations Manager, Christchurch Tramway Limited.
Because of the safety actions taken by Christchurch Tramway Limited to protect the air braking system following this incident, no safety recommendation to improve the system has been made.
A safety recommendation was made to the Director of Land Transport that he inform other tramway operators about the lessons learned from this investigation.
Related Recommendations
distribute the Commission's report 06-112 to all tramway operators so that the lessons learned from this investigation are understood and recommend they take such actions as appropriate to prevent similar incidents.
develop, in conjunction with Christchurch Tramway Limited, formalised procedures to be followed before any work is undertaken which conflicts with the requirements of the Christchurch Tramway Limited safety system.
develop in conjunction with the Christchurch City Council formalised procedures to be followed before a contractor undertakes any work which conflicts with the requirements of the Christchurch Tramway Limited safety system.