Man trapped in train doors dragged onto platform

An investigation has been launched after a passenger’s hand got trapped in the closing doors of an Elizabeth Line train as it left London’s Ealing Broadway station.

The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on 24 November, caused the passenger to run alongside the train before a member of staff working on the platform freed them.

The driver was alerted by other rail users to what was happening, and the train stopped after moving about 17 meters (56 ft). The passenger reportedly suffered minor injuries.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it would investigate what happened. Transport for London has been contacted for comment.

The issues the RAIB said it considered include the actions of those involved and the arrangements put in place to manage and control the risks associated with passengers boarding and alighting Elizabeth Line trains.

In June 2023 the RAIB investigated when two men were dragged onto a London Underground platform by trains after their coats got caught in the train doors.

These incidents occurred at Archway and Chalk Farm stations on the Northern Line.

The passenger on the archway was seriously injured after being dragged onto the platform for approximately 2 meters (6.5 ft) when his coat became caught in the door of a northbound Northern Line train.

In its report into the incidents the RAIB recommended that London Underground should focus on reducing the risk of a passenger becoming trapped and being dragged onto a departing train.

This may include technology that can detect when thin objects such as fingers, bandages or clothing have become stuck in a train door, and can detect when something is being dragged by a departing train.

It says Tube owners should consider modifying the door seals to make it easier to pull small, stuck items like clothes and straps from closed doors.

The board also said that London Underground should review the current minimum automated train stop times to determine whether passengers have enough time to safely board or disembark trains.

Concerns have previously been raised about passenger safety on the Elizabeth line at Ealing Broadway due to the gap between the platform and the train.

in july The Mayor of London apologized to many Elizabeth Line passengers who were seriously injured while using the trains at the station and said that work was being done to ensure that the high differential would be fixed.

three passengers Told BBC London they were hurt using the service at Ealing Broadway station Because the gap between platforms and trains is very high.

Sadiq Khan said he was “shocked” to see reports about the injuries on BBC London, adding: “I’m really sorry. You shouldn’t be injured while going about your daily business.”

At the time both TfL and Network Rail said they were “sorry” that some passengers were injured and that safety was their “priority”.

The £18.8 billion Elizabeth Line opens in May 2022 and connects Reading and Essex via central London.