A passenger narrowly escaped serious injury after their hand became trapped in the doors of an Elizabeth line train at Ealing Broadway station just after midnight on November 24, 2024. The incident, described as a “trap and drag,” occurred when the passenger attempted to board the train as the doors closed.
Incident Details
The passenger’s hand became caught in the closing doors, forcing them to run alongside the moving train for several meters as it began to depart. A quick-thinking railway worker on the platform intervened, pulling the individual to safety. The train traveled 17 meters before the driver was alerted and brought it to a stop.
Fortunately, the passenger sustained only minor injuries.
Investigation Underway
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) announced last week that it would launch a formal investigation into the incident. The investigation will examine:
- The actions of those involved in the incident.
- The measures in place to manage boarding risks on Elizabeth line trains.
- Post-incident management procedures.
- Any underlying factors that may have contributed to the event.
An RAIB spokesperson stated, “We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.”
TfL Response
A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson emphasized that safety is their “top priority” and confirmed that the operator, MTR Elizabeth line, is also conducting an internal investigation.
“We’re sorry that our customer experienced this distressing incident,” the spokesperson said. “We will always strive to learn from incidents and improve operational safety.”
They added that MTR Elizabeth line is fully cooperating with the RAIB to determine the root cause and identify measures to prevent similar occurrences. The findings will also be shared with the wider rail industry.
Commitment to Safety
While serious injuries on the network are rare, TfL reiterated its commitment to improving passenger safety through ongoing initiatives.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols when boarding trains. The findings of the investigation are expected to provide recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
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