10.09.18
RAIB releases report after passenger trapped in door and dragged by Metrolink tram
A passenger was dragged along by a Metrolink tram after the safety system failed to register that his hand was trapped in the door, a rail accident report has found.
Metrolink said this was an unintentional error, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the incident on 30 May demonstrated the importance of tram drivers not relying on the trams doors closed and locked indicators.
The report said the man became trapped when he put his hand between the double doors as they were closing, at which point the driver undertook his final door visual check and received a door closed green light indication.
The passenger was then dragged 15m by the tram at the Bury tram stop, reaching a maximum speed of 10 km/h (6 mph).
Fortunately, he was able to stay on his feet as he was dragged along until the driver noticed the passenger moving along with the tram and stopped and reopened the doors.
Three months prior to the incident the RAIB issued safety advice to all UK tramways following an incident on 15 December 2017 when an empty pushchair was dragged by closed doors in Nottingham.
They recommended that driver make a visual check before departing to ensure undetected slender objects were not caught.
Just last month, another RAIB report found operating issues and misunderstanding of safety instructions to be the cause of another incident where a woman was trapped and dragged by a train door in Bushey on 26 March.
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!