Family Edinburgh tram crash victim ‘at wits' end’ after agonising three-year wait for answers
07.01.2022 - 14:03
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The family of a man who died after being hit by a tram in Edinburgh say they are at their ‘wits' end’ following a three year wait for answers.
Carlos Palacio was struck while crossing the road on his way home from work just one month into his new job as a bus driver on September 11, 2018.
The 53-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after being knocked down while using a pedestrian crossing near Stenhouse Drive.
Crash records show that two warning alarms were sounded before the fatal collision but determined that the tram was going faster than advised.
The tragedy sparked an immediate change that saw trams fitted with louder bells and pedestrian crossings were cleared of all plant life and structures to improve visibility.
But despite the changes, devastated relatives are still waiting to hear if the Crown will prosecute Edinburgh Trams and said the ongoing silence is adding to their grief.
In a statement, Carlos’ grieving family said: “We are at our wits' end.
“We’ve waited and waited and put our faith in the justice system but it gets to a point where you can no longer assume that ‘no news is good news’.
“We need prosecutors to tell us what is going on. If there is a delay, then why? If they need more evidence, then what evidence?
“COVID cannot be the reason behind this delay as our dad died 18-months before the pandemic – surely that’s ample time for the COPFS to have a grasp of the facts?”
The Rail Accident Investigations Branch (RAIB) conducted a full investigation into the tragedy which included reviewing street CCTV, tram dashcam footage and the tram’s onboard data recorder.
Analysis found the tram reached a speed of 41mph and 73 metres before the crossing the driver “removed power and applied light service