£180 for tram smash
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by Mike Slingsby • A Dutch lorry driver who slammed into a metrolink tram injuring 18 passengers has been fined a total of £180.
Carlo Van-Sintort was lost in the centre of Manchester when he drove through a red light at an accident black spot.
And although he tried to brake he slid into a tram causing over £100,000 worth of damage. The tram was de-railed but the pas sengers escaped serious injury.
At Manchester City magistrates court 25-year-old Van Sinton admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to comply with a red traffic
Alan Rogerson, defending, said Van-Sinton, who lives in south Holland, was driving through Manchester on route to Warrington. He missed his usual turning and ended up at the junction of Corporation and Balloon streets.
"It was totally unfamiliar to him, the signs were confusing and the simple fact is he did not see the red light," he added.
He tried to brake but the truck did not stop in time. "It was a pure error of judgement compounded by his lack of local knowledge and by the fact the system is a little difficult," said Rogerson.