Coroner warns Sadiq Khan of 'failure' to improve Tube safety after pensioner was run over seven times at station

"A coroner has criticised Transport for London for its apparent failure to improve safety in the two years since the avoidable death of a man who fell onto the tracks at the capital's fifth busiest Tube station. Neither the driver of that train, nor those driving two subsequent trains, spotted Mr Mitchell - in fact, the driver of the third train mistook his body for an inflatable doll."

"Graeme Irvine, the coroner for east London, said Mr Mitchell was hit on seven occasions - by the first three trains as they entered and then departed from the terminus platform, and then by the fourth train as it entered the platform. In a prevention of future deaths report that has been sent to London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Mr Irvine said there was no clear evidence to demonstrate that risks of fatal harm have been mitigated."

"He added: Recommended technological measures to detect and alert staff to the presence of persons on the tracks have not been implemented at Stratford station. He also warned that no clear data could be found to demonstrate that Tube drivers were looking for risks as their trains entered the station in automatic mode. Nor was there data to demonstrate that station staff had received improved training on what to do in a similar emergency."

A passenger fell onto the tracks at Stratford station and remained there for more than five minutes before being struck by multiple trains. Drivers of three trains did not spot the person; the third driver mistook the body for an inflatable doll, and a fourth train ran over the body despite a station employee being aware someone was on the tracks. The coroner recorded seven impacts and reported that recommended technological detection measures were not implemented. The coroner found no clear data showing drivers monitored for risks in automatic mode or that station staff had received improved emergency training. A prevention of future deaths report was issued to the mayor and transport secretary. An inquest jury found the death accidental; the passenger had been heavily intoxicated.

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