A bus driver involved in a fatal smash with a tram "jumped the red lights" according to an accident report. 

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch report also suggested broken traffic lights that had recently been rephased could have caused last Septembers crash.

Man smashed through bus window

Andrzej Karcz, 28, from south Croydon, was on the top deck of the 468 bus.

He was thrown forward and smashed through the window and was pinned between the tram and bus dying instantly.

Just one day earlier lights were rephased to turn green while trams crossed the George Street and Park Lane junction of the previous morning, to improve traffic flow, after a request by Croydon Council.

The report says:

"The reason for the bus driver passing the red lights at 'B' [just before the junction with George Street] is still the subject of an on-
However, it is possible that the appearance of a green traffic light at 'K' [the other side of the junction, at the pedestrian crossing on Wellesley Road] was visible to the bus driver because the louvres on that signal were damaged."

Lights would have stayed red before rephasing

The report says before changes to the phasings, both B and K sets of lights would have remained red while trams traveled along George Street.

The report continues:

"The louvres fitted to the green signal of lights 'K' were intended to prevent this signal being seen by drivers of road vehicles standing at lights 'B', but prior to the accident, these had been damaged and were not effective."

Police investigate driver

The 28-year-old bus driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and bailed.

There were reports at the time that the driver fainted allowing the bus to swerve out of control, crashing into shops and hitting cars

Other key points from the report:

*The On Tram Data Recorder analysis showed the tram was being driven correctly

* After the accident, the tram speed limit was cut from 18mph to 12.4mph for initial investigations. After these uncovered a cracked rail, the limit was reduced to 6.2mph, which is still in place

* The traffic management authority was not consulted about these speed limit changes, which meant the B lights would change to green while the tram was still passing through the junction, which was swiftly corrected

* The traffic authority started testing the lights before the RAIB investigators were in sight, a breach of rail accident regulations

* No full investigation will be carried out, as the RAIB feels nothing of further significance could be uncovered