Passenger Dragged 12 Metres by Elizabeth Line Train in Ealing Broadway Platform Incident

A late-night incident at Ealing Broadway station saw a passenger dragged along the platform by a departing Elizabeth line train after their hand became trapped in the doors, according to an investigation into the event.

The accident occurred at around 00:09 on Sunday 24 November 2024. As the train prepared to leave on a westbound service, the passenger attempted to board while the doors were closing. Their hand became caught as the doors shut and the train subsequently departed with it still trapped. The passenger was pulled along the platform on foot for roughly 12 metres before another passenger and a member of platform staff managed to free them. Investigators believe the passenger likely suffered a minor injury, although the individual has not been contacted since the accident to confirm this.

The investigation found that the train driver closed the doors while passengers were still getting on and off the train. At the same time, the passenger attempted to board during the door-closing process. The train’s door detection system did not register the passenger’s hand, and the driver was unaware anything had been caught before the train began moving away from the platform.

Investigators also identified broader safety concerns. Measures in place by MTR Elizabeth line to manage the risk of passengers being trapped and dragged at Ealing Broadway were found to be ineffective. Another possible factor was linked to infrastructure changes at the station, with Network Rail not carrying out a sufficiently detailed risk assessment when a waiting room building was replaced and relocated.

While not a direct cause of the accident, the investigation also highlighted shortcomings in communication after the incident. Safety-critical exchanges between platform staff, the train driver, the signaller and the duty control manager did not produce a clear shared understanding of what had happened. The public address system on platform 3 was also less effective because of connectivity problems affecting the handheld device used by staff.

Additional observations were made about missed opportunities within MTR Elizabeth line’s internal processes to ensure safety recommendations from previous investigations were properly assigned, monitored and completed. Investigators also noted that current standards for testing and commissioning driver only operation CCTV systems do not require the use of a realistic platform environment during testing.

Five recommendations have been issued following the investigation. The first, directed to the Elizabeth line’s new operator GTS Rail Operations, calls for improvements in how the risks of trap-and-drag incidents are assessed and controlled. Transport for London has been asked to enhance the views of the platform-train interface provided to drivers through DOO CCTV and to consider additional technology that could further reduce the risk of passengers becoming trapped and dragged by trains. Another recommendation calls on the Rail Safety and Standards Board to update industry standards for DOO CCTV to reflect modern best practice. The final recommendation asks Network Rail to ensure that infrastructure changes on Elizabeth line platforms are properly evaluated and managed so they do not compromise operational or passenger safety.

Investigators also highlighted two key learning points. One emphasises the importance of clear and effective safety-critical communication between railway staff. The other stresses the need for drivers to carry out a thorough final safety check and to allow sufficient time to ensure the platform-train interface is safe before departure.

Image: RAIB