Pedestrian died after being hit by Midland Metro in Wolverhampton

Peter Perkins, of Bath Street, Wolverhampton, was crossing the A41 Bilston Road in the city on January 26 last year when he was hit by the tram near to The Royal stop.

Mr Perkins, who had mild learning difficulties, was returning from an open day held by Creative Support at the Boot Factory on Cleveland Road when the accident happened.

He suffered fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis and bruising to his lungs which led to a haemorrhage and died in New Cross Hospital days later on February 3.

Tram driver Neville Broadbent told Smethwick Coroner's Court today: "I was coming out of Wolverhampton and I saw a pedestrian to my right.

"It is a busy junction and because of the size of the tram you expect people to stop and avoid crossing the tracks. The closer I got I thought 'he's not going to stop' and I hooted my horn. It is loud. He didn't seem to react and that was it. He hit the left side of the tram."

Mr Broadbent said he stopped the tram and when he went out to see what happened.

The tram was travelling at around 23mph when it struck Mr Perkins. The maximum it is permitted to do is 30mph.

Mr Rohan Cummings was driving the number 70 Wolverhampton to West Bromwich bus at the time of the accident at around 6pm.

"I saw the tram and the pedestrian and I thought 'he hasn't seen it'', he said.

"I heard the tram driver sound his horn and I saw Mr Perkins accelerate to try and beat the tram but it was too late."

Leanne Barrett, a support worker at Creative Support, also gave evidence and had seen Mr Perkins prior to the accident.

She was asked by assistant coroner Mr Angus Smillie if the 35-year-old would have been listening to music.

She said: "I can't remember if he had earphones but what I know is it wouldn't have been unusual if he had earphones in."

Mr Smillie said that Mr Perkins died of multiple injuries and concluded that his death was accidental.

He said as he summarised: "The route that Peter had taken was one that he had walked on many occasions. It is not clear if he was unaware of the tram. Either because he had been listening to music or was wrapped up from the wintery weather conditions.

"Mr Broadbent did all he could in circumstances and could not have avoided the collision."