A Croydon tram may have narrowly avoided being derailed at the Sandilands Junction just a week before seven people were killed in a fatal crash.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is currently investigating whether Wednesday’s crash was caused because the tram was travelling too quickly around a sharp corner.

From Wednesday: Croydon tram crash: Tram travelling at 'significantly higher speed than is permitted', say investigators

The crash, which happened at the Sandilands Junction near to Addiscombe Road, led to the deaths of seven people while another 50 were taken to hospital.

The RAIB, which is due to publish a report into the accident next week, has said on its website: "Trams approaching from the New Addington direction have to negotiate a sharp, left-hand curve with a speed limit of 20km/h (12 mph) before reaching the junction.

"The derailment occurred on the curve and initial indication suggest that the tram was travelling at a significantly higher speed than is permitted."

The driver, who was arrested and released on police bail, is believed to have said he ‘blacked out’ shortly before the crash.

From today: Croydon tram crash: Fourth victim was young father soon to marry his girlfriend

However, it has been claimed a tram almost derailed at the same point just a week earlier, with passengers suggesting it was travelling too fast.

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said her husband had been on a tram at around 5am on October 31 which had taken the bend so quickly he thought it was going to ‘come off the tracks’.

She said: “They went down the tunnel so fast, as they hit the bend my husband and four other people fell over. He hurt his neck.

“The tram is so busy at that time of morning. People got thrown from the left side of the tram to the right side.

“Maybe, if we had said something last week when it happened, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s just horrendous.”

Andy Nias from Croydon, who was also travelling on an early tram on October 31, posted on Facebook: "30 of us on the tram this morning and we all thought our time was up… tram driver took the hard corner to Sandilands at 40mph!!

"I swear the tram lifted onto one side. Everyone still shaking… it’s mad.’

The British Transport Police has confirmed it is investigating the claims.

The RAIB is appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who was on the tram, or travels or works on it regularly, is asked to contact them via their website.

Have you been affected by the crash? Do you want to leave a tribute? Contact the newsdesk on pippa.allen@newsquest.co.uk or 020 8722 6337