AN elderly woman was left with serious injuries after being dragged along a platform.
In this shocking incident, the 101-year old was dragged across a platform in North London’s Archway station after her coat was caught in the door of a Northern line train.
The 101-year old passenger was dragged along the platform
Her coat was caught in the door, pulling her alongside the train
The doors left her little time to depart, closing just six seconds after opening, according to a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
As the doors began to close, her unzipped coat became trapped.
Unaware of the trapped coat and its implications, the train driver, although aware that the passenger and her companion were close to the train, commanded the train to depart.
The 101-year-old was pulled for two metres before falling to the ground, her coat finally coming free of the door.
It wasn’t until the train had travelled 20 metres that the driver, realising what had happened, activated the emergency brake.
The elderly passenger was rushed to the hospital for serious injuries, while her companion, who had also fallen, miraculously escaped unhurt.
The RAIB’s investigation revealed that the driver had closed the doors just four seconds after opening them, leaving them fully open for only six seconds.
The report also noted that this was not the first incident involving this driver.
In December 2021, they were involved in another incident at Bank station where a passenger was caught in the doors while trying to board.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the report mentioned another similar case on April 20 last year at Chalk Farm station.
Here, a passenger was dragged 20 metres along the platform after their coat became stuck in the door, suffering minor injuries and psychological distress.
The RAIB made four crucial recommendations to the London Underground, focusing on understanding and reducing the risks of such incidents and improving driver awareness and attention.
Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations at London Underground, expressed deep concern over the incidents.
He said: “The safety of our customers and staff is at the heart of everything we do, and we were extremely concerned that two customers were injured at Archway and Chalk Farm last year.
“London Underground is consistently recognised as one of the safest metro systems in the world, carrying millions of customers every year.
“However, we are not complacent and we welcome the recommendations from the RAIB’s report and we are in the process of implementing them.”
This horrifying event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers on the Tube and the crucial need for stringent safety measures to protect all passengers.
According to their website, TFL claim to take security ‘very seriously’, working closely with policies to ‘keep travelling in London safe and secure’.
However, they still urge passengers to follow safety tips when travelling on London transport.
Meanwhile, one obscure train door rule could land Brits with a hefty fine.
Elsewhere, an angry commuter says his bank card has been “hijacked” and now only works on trains and buses.
Travelling Safety Tips
Plan ahead: It’s a good idea to plan your route ahead of time. Apps like TFL and City mapper can provide detailed information about your journey. If you need to use your phone during your trip, do so in a way that makes it difficult for potential thieves to snatch it. Also, be sure to check the last train, tube, and bus times when planning your travel.
Recognise exits: On any public transport—whether it’s a tube, train, or bus—familiarise yourself with the nearest exits, fire exits, and alarms in case you need to disembark quickly
Stay in well populated areas: When traveling by train or tube, avoid sitting in empty carriages. On late-night bus rides, it’s safer to sit near the driver.
Secure valuables: On busy trains, buses, and tubes, keep your valuables secure in your bag to avoid attracting thieves.
Trust your instincts: If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, try to move away. For instance, if someone is behaving aggressively or appears intoxicated, you can get off at the next stop and switch carriages, or notify station staff if you think intervention is needed.
Report suspicious activity: If you see something out of place on public transport, such as an unattended bag, inform a station staff member. It’s better to be safe and report anything suspicious.
Report harassment: If you experience or witness sexual harassment on public transport, text 61016 or call the police on 101, providing details of the incident. For support, visit Report+Support