A public ceremony on Market Square, New Addington, at 11am on 9 November marks 10 years since the Sandilands derailment. Names, a silence, then tributes.

Croydon will hold a public ceremony in New Addington on Monday 9 November at 11am to remember the seven people who died in the Sandilands tram derailment, ten years to the day after the tram overturned.

It takes place on Market Square, Central Parade, New Addington, CR0 0JL, and anyone can come. The council says residents, loved ones, community representatives and civic leaders will gather “to remember those who died and reflect on the lasting impact of the events of 9 November 2016” (Croydon Council, 21 October).

The seven names

Dane Chinnery, Donald Collett, Robert Huxley, Philip Logan, Dorota Rynkiewicz, Philip Seary and Mark Smith lost their lives when the tram overturned near Sandilands on 9 November 2016. More than 60 people were injured, according to the council.

What happens on the day

The council has set out the order of the ceremony:

  • a reading of the names of those who died
  • a period of silence
  • the laying of floral tributes

Croydon’s Civic Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Islam, will be joined by the Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, by some of those directly affected and by survivors. Representatives of the agencies that supported the response will be there too, along with local businesses, community leaders and, the council says, “the wider community”.

Central Parade in New Addington, a wide tree-lined road with shops on the left and an open paved square
Central Parade, New Addington, where the ceremony will be held on Market Square. Photo: David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph and Wikimedia Commons

“Croydon will always remember those we lost”

Jason Perry, the Executive Mayor of Croydon, said:

“Ten years may have passed, but the tragedy at Sandilands has never been forgotten by the people of Croydon. Seven lives were lost that day, leaving behind grieving families, friends and a community whose lives were changed forever.

“As we mark this solemn anniversary, our thoughts are first and foremost with those who lost loved ones, those who survived, and everyone who continues to live with the consequences of that terrible day.

“Croydon will always remember those we lost. We owe it to them, and to their families, to ensure their names and their stories are never forgotten. On the anniversary, and always, we stand together in remembrance.”

What it means for you

  • Where and when: Market Square, Central Parade, New Addington, CR0 0JL, at 11am on Monday 9 November. The council lists no booking, so turn up.
  • Flowers: floral tributes are part of the ceremony, after the silence.
  • Getting there by tram: the current closure east of East Croydon is due to end on Thursday 5 November, before the ceremony. Our tram closure page has the stops and replacement buses until then.

If the anniversary is hard for you

The council says it recognises that anniversaries “can bring back difficult memories and emotions”, and points to two places to turn:

  • Sarah Hope Line, TfL’s incident support service, gives practical and emotional support to people affected by serious incidents on the TfL network. Call 0343 222 5678, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or email SHL@tfl.gov.uk.
  • Croydon Talking Therapies offers a range of psychological therapies for adults aged 18 and over who are registered with a Croydon GP.