Reuben Abakah was hit by a London Trams service on August 22, 2022, and died in hospital from his injuries three days later. The tram, driven by Michelle Bishop, was traveling at 59 kilometers per hour at the time of the collision. According to major media reports, the driver first sounded her warning bell 2.0 seconds before the collision and her horn 1.4 seconds ahead, applying the service brake 0.8 seconds before impact and the hazard brake 0.1 seconds later. Reuben Abakah had his hood up and did not slow down as he entered the crossing.
The family's court document alleges that Reuben Abakah was visible to the tram driver well before he crossed the tracks where he was hit. It claims the driver failed to keep a proper lookout or recognise the developing hazard, did not operate the tram at a safe speed in the circumstances, and did not use its audible warnings or brakes effectively. The document also states that the sound level emitted by the bell was below the ambient background noise at the crossing, with levels of both the bell and horn materially below the recommended band.
Since the incident, the speed limit for trams using the crossing has been reduced from 70kmh to 50kmh. An inquest into Mr Abakah’s death at South London Coroner’s Court in Croydon concluded in August last year that he died as a result of an accident, and no legal action is being brought against Ms Bishop. The crossing features a chicane intended to slow users, but it did not cause them to naturally turn towards the direction of approaching eastbound trams.