An apology for the crash in November has been released by FirstGroup. Pic: Phil Beard

The chief executive of FirstGroup, the company that runs the network controlling Croydon’s Trams on behalf of TFL, made a public apology this week for the fatal tram crash last November after announcing a £207 million profit.

In a statement declaring the companies’ increase in revenue, chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “I cannot turn to the results before reiterating our profound sadness over the Croydon tram derailment in November.

“Investigations are ongoing, and we continue to assist in any way we can. We’re all very proud of the safety culture and record at FirstGroup, but an incident such as this shakes everyone to the very core, and we are very sorry for all those affected.”

O’Toole continued to reveal FirstGroup’s revenue has increased by 8.7 per cent from 2016 to 2017.

Investigations into the derailment are still being taken place by the British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), which caused seven fatalities and injured 51 others.

The RAIB have so far released two reports which state the tram was speeding before entering the bend and the driver “lost awareness”.