A passenger was 'dragged' along a station platform after getting trapped in a train door.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its findings into the incident, which took place at Ealing Broadway at around 12.09am on Sunday, November 24, 2024, involving a westbound Elizabeth line service.
The passenger’s hand became caught as they tried to board the train and with the doors failing to detect the obstruction, the train departed with the individual still trapped.
RAIB said: "This resulted in them being dragged on foot for about 12 metres along the platform before being pulled free by another passenger and a member of platform staff.
READ MORE:
- Historic London Indian restaurant takes fight to stay open to Buckingham Palace
- Luxury fashion brand clearing London stores with discounts of up to 75 per cent
- Former pub up for rent at £25,000 a year
"It is probable that the passenger sustained a minor injury in the accident, but RAIB has been unable to contact them following the accident to confirm this."
Investigators found the driver closed the doors while people were still getting on and off and the passenger tried to board while the doors were shutting.
The RAIB identified multiple safety failings, including the door system’s failure to detect the passenger’s hand and that the train driver was not aware that the passenger’s hand was trapped before initiating the train’s departure.
The report also found that MTR Elizabeth line’s risk controls for preventing trapping incidents at Ealing Broadway were not effective.
RAIB said: "An underlying factor was that measures used by MTR Elizabeth line to control the risks of passengers being trapped and dragged at Ealing Broadway station were not effective.
"Additionally, a possible underlying factor was that Network Rail did not conduct a thorough risk assessment for the replacement and relocation of a waiting room building."
Although not directly linked to the accident, the RAIB also noted that communications between platform staff, the train driver, the signaller and the duty control manager did not lead to a clear understanding of events.
Issues with the public address system on platform three were compounded by poor connectivity of the handheld device.
The RAIB also highlighted shortcomings in MTR Elizabeth line’s internal investigations, noting that recommendations were not being properly assigned, tracked or completed.
In addition, current standards for driver-only operation (DOO) CCTV testing do not require a realistic platform environment during testing.
Share