The tram runs counter to the traffic for the second stage of this road crossing, a fact which may have contributed to today’s deadly crash

Kennedy Town Residents built a small memorial to the victim

Sources at the scene of a deadly Kennedy Town tram crash this morning told local media the family may have “looked in the wrong direction” from the safety of the pedestrian refuge and crossed into the path of a moving tram.

The crash, which killed a three-year-old girl and wounded her 66-year-old grandfather, six-year-old sister and 36-year-old domestic helper, left locals in shock, with some at the scene tonight telling Transit Jam they thought the tram was too slow for such a crash and residents leaving floral tributes and Haribo candy in honour of the young victim.

While pedestrians are always advised to look in both directions, the road layout at the pedestrian crossing where the tragedy unfolded is not entirely straightforward and could leave pedestrians guessing which way to turn. After crossing the first section, for which pedestrians must look right, one could expect to look left for the second section: but such an instinct would be dangerous if a tram was approaching at speed against the flow of vehicular traffic.

Words to live by: a crossing yards from the fatal scene carries a warning, but the crossing at the crash site offers no such guidance

Unlike at many other crossings in Hong Kong, there are no road markings warning pedestrians which way to look.

The young victims’ grandfather, Mr Yuen, was holding the three-year-old girl as they stepped into the road and was dragged under the tram with the girl. His other granddaughter and their helper were struck by the tram and were less badly injured.

The little girl who’d been trapped with her grandfather under the tram was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital unconscious and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Hong Kong Tramways says the driver, Mr Lee, 48, has been suspended. The firm says he has a good record and has been operating a tram for four years. Police have arrested him on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.