Quote:
twin's tram tragedy
Ben Rooth
4/ 4/2007
CELEBRATIONS ended in tragedy for identical twin brothers after one of them was run over by a Metrolink tram, an inquest heard.
Penda Otoo-Kati, 26, was on a night out in Manchester in October with brother Shali and two friends after landing a new job.
The Manchester inquest heard the tram driver had sounded his whistle twice and also his emergency horn after seeing the group walking along the central reservation near G-Mex.
Mr Otoo-Kati, who had recently graduated from Salford University as a chartered surveyor, was around three metres behind the group and had taken a call on his mobile phone shortly before he was struck by the tram.
Shali told the hearing: "I turned to see where my brother was and I could see him lying on the floor.
First aid
"I could see that he had a cut on his head. At that point, I tried to wake my brother by shouting at him."
Penda, who lived in Withington and was originally from Ghana, received first aid from a passing off-duty nurse but was pronounced dead at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Nigel Meadows said the tragedy was all the more poignant as Penda had been out celebrating his new job.
The trams are big.. but not FAST!
He stepped in front of the tram. He was pre-occupied.
I do feel for this young man and his family.
I feel this senseless waste of a young life as that family must do.
But these trams do not travel fast . but are heavy. Like an old fashioned car.
This poor chap had no chance really. I hope his death was not down to his using a mobile per Jazz' report as appeared in that "advertiser" she receives.
Trams and buses though . at 15 mph in a town centre inflict fatal injury on pedestrians.. ]
Heavy duty structures. Wanted in towns. Lethal in nature.
Unable to stop like a car.
I have to ask a question which our lurks will be silly over.

. but which vehicle (apart from a bike and that;s also questionable

) is safe, car or tram or bus ?
