‘Terrifying Ordeal’ 101-Year-Old Woman Dragged Down Tube Platform After Coat Caught in Doors
A 101-year-old woman experienced a terrifying ordeal when she was caught by her coat and dragged down a Tube platform, an investigation has found. She was one of two people injured after their belongings became snagged in closing doors on underground trains last year, according to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
The incident involving the elderly woman occurred early last year at Archway station. On February 18, 2023, her coat became trapped in the closing doors of a Northern line train as she attempted to disembark. The train then traveled approximately 20 meters, dragging the centenarian along the platform for up to two meters. She required urgent hospital treatment and is still suffering from her injuries 16 months after the accident, told BBC.
The woman’s companion also fell to the ground while trying to hold onto her. The train driver, seeing the woman on CCTV, immediately applied the brakes and called emergency services. The RAIB report noted that the train driver did not realize the passenger’s coat was trapped in the closed doors, stating, “Believing it was safe to do so, the train operator commanded the train to depart.”
Another similar incident occurred on April 20, 2023, at Chalk Farm station, when a passenger’s coat got caught in the doors as they attempted to board a Northern Line train. The passenger, who stopped on the platform as the doors began to close, was dragged approximately 20 meters before their coat eventually became free, causing them to fall to the ground. The driver, unaware of the situation, continued the journey.
Both trains involved in these incidents were stock dating back to 1995, equipped with a door safety system that can only detect objects thicker than 11mm, thus failing to detect the caught coats.
The RAIB report made four recommendations to Tube bosses: conducting a risk assessment around trap and drag events, further increasing risk mitigation, providing sufficient station dwell time, and reducing the risk of train operators losing attention and awareness.
Nick Dent, Director of Customer Operations at London Underground, expressed deep concern over the incidents: “The safety of our customers and staff is at the heart of everything we do and we were extremely concerned that two customers were injured.” He added, “We are not complacent and we welcome the recommendations from the RAIB’s report and we are in the process of implementing them.”
These incidents highlight the need for improved safety measures on the London Underground to prevent similar accidents in the future and ensure the safety of all passengers.