Oct 8, 2011

Update: Santa Teresa Trolley Accident

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Experts found 23 flaws in the trolley that crashed in Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro, reported O Jornal Nacional on Saturday. The tragedy, in August, killed six and injured 56.

Aftermath of Wrecked Santa Teresa Bonde Trolley Accident

The 34-page report of the Carlos Eboli Institute of Criminology (ICCE) is exhaustive. Tram number 10 in Santa Teresa was not safe for operation. According to the ICCE report, the braking system failed due to lack of proper maintenance.

The experts examined the scene of the accident, the maintenance shop and the power grid. They also tested parts of the tram in a laboratory. The report listed 23 issues and exposed the precariousness of the entire system.

Parts of the tram were made by hand and were welded to the chassis. There were parts of the tram where wire was used in place of screws to hold pieces together. Investigators found oil and water contaminating the compressed air system which powers the brake system, proving the lack of preventative maintenance.

According to the experts at ICCE, the mechanical braking system, to be used in emergencies, was engaged but not functioning, proving that the motorman engaged the backup braking system to no avail. The day after the accident, the Transportation Secretary Julio Lopes suggested that the accident had been caused by operator error.

In addition to all the other factors which contributed to the tragedy, the trolley was overcrowded. The bonde, as the trolley is known locally, was carrying 62 people, 50% over its rated capacity.

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Brazilian online news source for this article: O Globo

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