Inquiry into pedestrian death at Edinburgh tram crossing

A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a man hit by a tram in Edinburgh six years ago.

Carlos Correa Palacio, 53, was killed on the Saughton Mains crossing as he made his way home from work.

A preliminary hearing is set for 31 May at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Edinburgh Trams Ltd was fined £240,000 in August last year after admitting a health and safety breach.

Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “The tragic death of Carlos Correa occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will be held.

“Mr Correa’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.

It will explore the circumstances of Mr Correa’s death with a focus on risk assessment and safety management at Edinburgh Trams Ltd.

It will also look at pedestrian crossing safety and the audibility of warning systems on trams.

The tram's driver had spotted Mr Correa, who worked as a bus driver, on the crossing on 11 September 2018.

He slowed down, sounded a bell, and at 18m (59ft) from the crossing applied the emergency brake which caused a warning horn to sound.

Mr Correa was too late to get out of its way.

A previous criminal investigation found Edinburgh Trams Ltd had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment of the crossing or give sufficient warning to pedestrians.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court also heard that the firm failed to assess the loudness of warning devices or the emergency braking distances on trams.

Mr Correa's family said they hoped there would never be a repeat of the "needless tragedy".

An investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch called for louder tram horns and improved visibility at such crossings.