Driver of overturned Croydon tram arrested as police confirm ‘loss of life’

The driver of the tram that overturned in south London has been arrested, British Transport Police have confirmed.

News of the arrest comes after police confirmed there had been "some loss of life" following the crash, which took place on Wednesday morning. The derailment is said to have happened just after 6am, with British Transport Police (BTP) adding that it is "too early" to confirm how many have died in the accident. Many others were said to be injured in the accident, with rail accident investigators at the scene looking into the cause of the crash. According to the BBC, the London Ambulance Service have indicated that 51 people have been taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting and Croydon University Hospital. "A number of people have been taken to hospital with injuries and sadly it looks as though there has been some loss of life," said Robin Smith, assistant chief constable of the BTP. "It is too early for us to confirm numbers but we are working hard to assess the ongoing incident and we are continuing to focus on recovery efforts." The tram remains on its side, with reports claiming it appears to have derailed near where the track splits. Several emergency services vehicles are still at the scene and a number of people that were trapped in the wreckage are said to have been freed.