UK police bail driver in tram derailment that killed 7

Work continues at the scene where tram derailed killing a number of people in Croydon south London Thursday Nov. 10, 2016 . The tram derailed while rounding a tight curve in a rainstorm in south London Wednesday, police said. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

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A photo issued by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch of the tram which derailed near the Sandilands stop in Croydon, London, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. Several people were killed and more than 50 injured when a tram derailed in south London during a heavy rainstorm before dawn Wednesday, police said. Emergency workers worked for hours to free five people trapped in the wreckage of the two-carriage tram that tipped on its side next to an underpass. (RAIB via AP) (The Associated Press)

Emergency service workers attend the scene of a derailed tram in Croydon, south London, Wednesday Nov. 9, 2016. A tram derailed in London before dawn on Wednesday, leaving at least 50 people injured and several trapped, the emergency services said. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – British police say the driver of a tram that derailed in London, killing seven people, has been released on bail.

The 42-year-old man, who has not been publicly named, was arrested after the crash on suspicion of manslaughter. British Transport Police said Thursday he had been bailed until May while the investigation continues.

The tram came off the rails while rounding a tight curve in south London's Croydon area early Wednesday. Seven people were killed and more than 50 injured.

Emergency workers labored for hours to free several people trapped in the wreckage.

Accident investigators say the tram appears to have been "traveling at a significantly higher speed" than the permitted 12 miles per hour (20 kph). One theory under investigation is whether the driver fell asleep.