Four injured as tram-train smashes into lorry in Sheffield

A “tram-train” derailed when it smashed into a lorry – just hours after the new service had launched.

Four passengers suffered minor injuries after the Stagecoach Supertram collided with the vehicle in Sheffield on Thursday.

The lorry was pushed 30ft sideways and the accident happened on the day the UK’s first tram-train service, between Sheffield and Rotherham, had launched.

The tram-train was travelling on a tram section of the line when it collided on the route between the city centre and Meadowhall shopping centre.

It is understood the tram signal was on green at the time of the collision. It is not clear whether traffic lights were working before the crash.

The £75million tram-train project had been launched on Thursday morning with a ceremony which included rail minister Jo Johnson and Sheffield city region mayor Dan Jarvis.

A Stagecoach Supertram spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a collision took place this afternoon between a lorry and one of our vehicles shortly before 3.20pm on Staniforth Road.

“No-one has been seriously injured, however a small number of people were treated at the scene for minor injuries. We are assisting police with their inquiries into the circumstances.”