Manchester Metrolink: Man who fell between trams has leg amputated

The man was injured at the Exchange Square Metrolink stop (pictured above)

A man has had his leg amputated after falling into the gap between two linked trams in Manchester city centre, a transport body has confirmed.

Tram operator Metrolink told the area's transport committee the man had been injured at the stop in Exchange Square at about 23:30 BST on 11 September.

It said he was in a critical condition but was "expected to pull through".

It also said a 10-year-old boy remained in a "life-threatening condition" after a tram hit him on 1 September.

Investigations into both incidents by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are under way.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said details of the incident were revealed during a meeting of the Metrolink and rail subcommittee of the Greater Manchester transport committee earlier.

Serious head injury

Victoria Mercer, service delivery manager at Metrolink, told members the man "had his back turned to the tram and was walking as the tram was pulling out of the stop".

"He leant into the tram as the tram was moving and he fell between the gap of a double unit," she said.

She added that it had been "confirmed that his one leg has been amputated, but he is expected to pull through".

She also told the committee about the injured boy, who was riding his bike when he was struck by a tram at a pedestrian crossing on Droylsden Road in Audenshaw, Tameside just after 19:30 on 1 September.

He suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital by air ambulance after police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the scene.

"We believe the young boy remains in a life-threatening condition, and a formal investigation is under way," Ms Mercer said.

GMP has asked anyone who witnessed either incident to get in touch.