5 Dead, 50 Injured as London Tram Derails

Five people were killed and more than 50 injured when a tram derailed in south London during an early morning rainstorm Wednesday, police say. Emergency workers were still at the scene of the derailment in Croydon more than six hours after the crash, trying to free two people trapped in the wreckage of the two-carriage tram that tipped on its side next to an underpass, reports the AP. It appeared to have come off the rails on a bend. British Transport Police said they had arrested a man—reportedly the tram's driver. A rep for the London Ambulance Service described many of those hurt as "walking wounded" but said others suffered serious injuries.

"I heard a massive crash at about 6.15am [local time], then heard shouting, then the emergency services arrived," says a resident. "They started bringing up the casualties, some very seriously injured." A fire department rep says "firefighters have released a number of people and two people remain trapped." Eight fire engines and four specialist rescue units are at the scene. The rescue units, which are used in complex incidents, are equipped with heavy lifting and cutting tools, together with longer duration breathing apparatus and floodlighting. Rail accident investigators are also on the scene probing the cause of the derailment. (More train crash stories.)