04.12.17
Passenger fatalities increase for second year running
The number of rail passenger fatalities has increased for the second year in a row, according to a report published this week.
The ORR’s annual Rail Statistics Compendium, has revealed that 2016-17 saw the deaths of 15 rail passengers - the highest number since 2010-11, which saw 12 fatalities.
Seven of these deaths were a result of the tragic Croydon tram derailment alone, in November 2016.
Despite the increase in passenger fatalities, the number of train accidents actually reduced by 10% in 2016-17 compared to 2015-16.
The number of public fatalities decreased for the second year in a row.
Passenger injuries on mainline services also saw a reduction compared to 2015/16, with 6,866 injuries reported last year, down by 5.2%, with 266 of these categorised as “major injuries.”
However, London Underground saw an increase in injuries of 10.5% compared to the previous year, with 4,497 injuries reported, 80 of which were “major.”
Non-mainline passenger injuries more than doubled, with a 109 reported last year, 49 of which were as a result of the Croydon tram derailment.
Workforce fatalities remain low, with just one reported in 2016-17, up from zero the previous year.
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