Latest Rail News

02.06.16

RMT calls for investigation after Tube passenger falls between platform and train

A serious safety incident where a passenger fell between the train and the platform at Canning Town Underground Station must be investigated, the RMT has said.

The union said the incident, on 26 May, highlighted the dangers of staff cuts, which make it harder to monitor overcrowding levels.

Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT, said: “The appalling incident at Canning Town last week should be a wake-up call to London Underground that its staff cuts programme is compromising safety and, against the background of overcrowding on a daily basis, highlights the daily risks that are confronting both passengers and staff alike.

“There must be no cover up of this incident and RMT demands a full and transparent formal investigation to establish the facts.”

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) highlighted platform interface as a recurring safety concern in its latest corporate report.

RMT Tube maintenance and engineering staff also recently voted in favour of strikes which could further delay the introduction of the Night Tube.

RTM contacted London Underground for a comment but it did not respond at the time of publication.

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Comments

Neil Palmer   03/06/2016 at 01:26

The attempt by Mick Cash and the RMT to use an unfortunate accident for their own self-interest and political agenda is simply reprehensible. How on earth would additional staff have stopped this woman's leg from slipping between platform and train? Reading the news reports this incident occurred at 8:20am. There were sufficient staff on hand to immediately prevent the train from departing, and to provide assistance. The overcrowding from the service being suspended caused the station to be temporarily evacuated and closed around 8:45am, and obviously there were staff on hand to handle that too. No news reports I have seen make any mention of overcrowding at the time the woman stepped off the train. It's no wonder the vast majority of the general public doesn't believe a word that comes out of Mick Cash's mouth when he twists the truth in this matter. Truly despicable behaviour - even for him.

Jerry Alderson   03/06/2016 at 18:46

My leg also slipped between train and platform on the Brussels metro. Unlike London there are no platform staff - loads of space so no need for someone to say "mind the gap." In my case the train floor was slippery (it rains a lot in Brussels) and I had poor grip on my shows. My front foot skidded forward and my rear leg slipped back and fell into the gap. The passengers grabbed my arm and pulled me up. Small graze to my thigh but no harm done. I hate to think what would have happened if the doors had closed though. (Spending half my time between Brussels and Vienna I forgot which country I was in - I frequently do - and said "Danke" rather than "Merci". Belgium is not the best country to speak the "wrong" language.)

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