The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has today, 28 July 2026, published its report into a collision between a tram and two pedestrians in Sheffield. The incident took place at approximately 4:14 pm on Sunday 22 June 2025, at the Staniforth Road footpath crossing on the South Yorkshire Supertram network.
At the time of the collision, the tram was travelling at around 17 mph (27 km/h). One pedestrian suffered serious injuries, while the other sustained minor injuries, with both taken to hospital.
The investigation found that the pedestrians were unaware of the approaching tram. This was attributed to their failure to recognise the tram's approach and the tram's audible warning devices not alerting them. Additionally, the crossing's layout and signage were not effective in alerting pedestrians to the risk.
An underlying factor identified was that the management of risk at the Staniforth Road footpath crossing by South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority was not sufficiently effective. The RAIB also noted that a raised cobble surface immediately beyond the crossing may have exacerbated one pedestrian's injuries.
Three recommendations have been made by the RAIB. These include a call for South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to continue reviewing risk assessment at Staniforth Road and implement control measures. South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd is also asked to address inconsistencies in tram audible warning usage across the network. The third recommendation is for both organisations, alongside other local transport bodies, to assess all locations on the network where there is a credible risk of pedestrian collisions and implement changes to minimise injuries.