Third Victim of Ealing Platform Gap Comes Forward

Lucy Daramola knocked unconscious after fall boarding train

Lucy Daramola in hosptial after her fall getting of an Elizabeth line train. Picture: Lucy Daramola

July 18, 2024

A third person has come forward to say that she was seriously injured on the Elizabeth Line platform at Ealing Broadway station.

Lucy Daramola contacted the BBC after seeing coverage of two previous incidents in which passengers fell while boarding or getting off a train.

Her fall, which she attributes to the height of the gap between the train and the platform, took place in July 2022. She was knocked unconscious and received serious cuts to her shins which required surgery and she told BBC reporter, Tom Edwards, that she believes someone could be killed at the location.

She added, "The main thing there is the gap is too high and the edge is quite sharp. So, if you miss your step the edge is quite dangerous as well. So that was the cut I had, the deep laceration I had.

"I fear that someone will die, because I was actually unconscious so it can happen to other people as well, even worse.

"What about vulnerable people? Elderly? If I can fall there, it means it's quite dangerous. I wasn't running."

The issue was initially raised by Ealing resident, Eric Leach who broke a bone in his foot when stepping down from a train on Platform 4 and then 82-year-old Rolf Kern was injured while boarding a train. Afterwards he questioned that why, when so much money had been invested in the Elizabeth line, the issue with the platform gap wasn’t addressed.

Eric Leach on the platform at Ealing Broadway where he fell. Picture: BBC

The Rail Safety and Standards Board maximum recommended vertical gap between the step onto the train and the platform in 23 centimetres and this is exceeded significantly by the gap at Ealing Broadway. However, the guidance does not require Network Rail, which operates the station, to bring older platforms up to this standard.

Rolf Kern explains the problem to BBC reporter Tom Edwards

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan apologised to the people who have been injured saying he was “shocked” to see the reports adding: “I’m really sorry. You should not be injured going about your daily business.”

Speaking to BBC London, Mr Khan said,“The issue is this is an older station, rather than one of our newer stations, and you know the difference in height between the train and the platform.”

The Mayor continued by saying he had been in “close contact with the [Transport for London] commissioner and had discussions with him” and that TfL was also “working really closely with the train operator MTR, but also Network Rail, to resolve this issue”.

Mr Khan spoke to journalists during a visit on Thursday (18 July) morning from the new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh – who also said she would be taking up the matter with Network Rail.

A Network Rail spokesperson said, "We are very sorry to hear about the injuries suffered by the passenger at Ealing Broadway.

"Safety is our number one priority and we previously met with the station user group to listen to their concerns.

"We are not currently funded to do improvements to the platforms, however we are working closely with our partners at TfL and MTR-Elizabeth line to review what might be done as part of our joint safety improvement plan."

The gap at Ealing Broadway is estimated to be 12 inches which is above current guidelines. Picture: BBC

A TfL spokesperson said, "We are sorry that a small number of customers have sustained injuries at Ealing Broadway station and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.

“Such incidents across the Elizabeth line are thankfully rare. Safety is a priority for us and while the height difference between the train and the platform at this station complies with the required safety standards we are working with our operator, MTR-Elizabeth line, and Network Rail to see if it is possible to raise the platform at Ealing Broadway.

“We have also developed a range of enhancements at the station to increase customer safety. This includes the installation of a new barrier to enhance the management of passenger flow, and the extension of a handrail.”