Railway related deaths
PFD Category
Reports: 103
Areas: 39
Earliest: Nov 2013
Latest: 5 Feb 2026
75% response rate (above 63% average). 43% of classified responses show concrete action taken. Reports fell 30% from 10 (2023) to 7 (2024).
PFD Reports
103 resultsSam Dudley
Partially Responded
2026-0060
5 Feb 2026
Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley
Level Crossings and Public Safety
Level Crossing and Public Safety
North West Route Director
+1 more
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Limited and ineffective signage on railway pedestrian gates, especially for earphone users, fails to provide adequate warnings at a critical "decision point."
Noted
(AI summary)
Network Rail states that the Hoggs Hill Level Crossing was safe and compliant, and the coroner's concerns align with their existing national safety framework. They continuously review signage and undertake education on railway safety, but do not commit to new specific pictorial signage as a result of this report.
Brian Mitchell
No Identified Response
2025-0645
29 Dec 2025
East London
Department for Transport
Mayor of London
Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary)
No clear evidence exists that risks of fatal harm on railway tracks have been mitigated, with recommended detection technology unimplemented and training effectiveness for train operators and station staff unproven.
Wendy Eyles
All Responded
2026-0153
22 Dec 2025
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundat…
Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of protocol for patients receiving both NHS and private psychiatric care leads to poor communication regarding medication changes, risking patient safety due to uncoordinated treatment.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
• The Trust is developing a new private care protocol to guide clinicians on how to approach circumstances when a patient is accessing care from a private healthcare provider.
• The protocol will operate within the existing policy framework, linked to existing policies and procedures for information sharing and record keeping.
• Work to develop this new protocol is underway and will be completed by the end of this month, applying to new and existing patients.
Wendy Eyles
No Identified Response
2025-0641
22 Dec 2025
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation …
Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board
Concerns summary (AI summary)
No protocol exists for managing patients under both NHS and private psychiatry, leading to critical medication changes not being communicated, creating confusion and patient safety risks.
Leo Barber
All Responded
2025-0505
9 Oct 2025
South London
Google UK & Ireland
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Vulnerable children can access online suicide material, and international service providers’ jurisdictional stance can obstruct coronial investigations, hindering efforts to prevent future deaths.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Google makes available an Inactive Account Manager tool, which allows users to designate third parties to receive parts of their account data in the event of their death or inactivity and are engaging actively with Ofcom and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on issues regarding access to information relevant to an inquest.
Christopher Bird
Partially Responded
2025-0477
23 Sep 2025
Wiltshire and Swindon
NHS England
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
White Horse Medical Practice
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Concerns were raised about the reliability of the nhs.net email system for transmitting critical mental health information to GPs, leading to systemic communication breakdowns between secondary and primary care.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England explains the NHSmail system's security and audit capabilities, noting that an email was recoverable and providing advice to the GP practice on future searches for missing documentation. They also describe the internal process for reviewing PFD reports. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust will complete a review to identify changes to current AMHT practice that may prevent the risk of a GP not receiving timely communications from the AMHT, with a wider consultation with GP representatives and the Integrated Care Board.
Robert English
All Responded
2025-0380
25 Jul 2025
North London
Department of Transport
Rail Safety Board
Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate lighting on railway tracks and trains makes it difficult to locate trespassers at night, meaning current safety provisions are insufficient and increase the risk of collision.
Noted
(AI summary)
TfL updated operational rules for track searches on 12 May 2025 and established a review group to improve communication between operational staff and police. They are testing a prototype lighting rig to enhance track illumination at night and plan to roll it out across the LU network in 2026 if successful. The Department for Transport notes the concerns and refers to Transport for London's responsibility for operational safety and their response to the report. The Railway Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) states that its standards do not apply to London Underground, and that existing mainline regulations and safety data do not warrant further action on their part.
Jody Robb
All Responded
2025-0330
1 Jul 2025
County Durham and Darlington
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate physical barriers and non-deterrent design allowed track access, compounded by train crews failing to report a person on the tracks despite multiple trains passing, hindering intervention.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Network Rail has applied for planning permission to increase the height of the parapet on the viaduct and curve it inwards, installing a safety barrier. The design stage is underway and it is hoped the works can be completed by the end of the financial year, subject to planning permission.
Sarah Cunningham
All Responded
2025-0195
16 Apr 2025
Inner North London
Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Transport for London (TfL) has not implemented concrete plans to mitigate risks to intoxicated passengers, despite recognizing the issue and encouraging public transport use by impaired individuals.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Transport for London (TfL) will trial new technologies this financial year to identify customers on the track, starting with the Docklands Light Railway, Central line, and Piccadilly line, and continue to focus on recommendations from the Formal Investigation into the incident. TfL will implement measures to ensure customer safety information relating to risks associated with intoxication is available at all times.
Glenn Jacques and Ben Whiteman and Callum Clark
No Identified Response
2024-0376
16 Jul 2024
Durham & Darlington
Northern Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The railway station, a known location for suicides, met the 'hotspot' criteria with three incidents in 12 months, despite previous categorisation suggesting otherwise.
Jacob Shorter
All Responded
2024-0328
18 Jun 2024
South Yorkshire West
Calderdale Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Crucial information about previous suicidal ideation was not shared with foster carers. Calderdale Council lacks clear training and escalation routes for mental health concerns, creating a risk of future deaths.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The council plans to provide Independent Visitor volunteers with Mental Health First Aid Training where necessary, and to include a specific topic relating to suicide prevention and signs in the Induction Training programme.
Mohamed Ellaboudy
All Responded
2024-0232
30 Apr 2024
Berkshire
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Tru…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Mental health care coordination post-discharge was inadequate, characterized by reliance on telephone appointments, unclear MDT thresholds, and a lack of clear family reporting routes, risking patient safety.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Berkshire Healthcare has commenced a programme of work to move away from the Care Programme Approach (CPA) in line with national guidance, including new five-day clinical skills training, focus on robust discharge planning and 72 hour follow up. The Trust has updated its Transfer and Discharge policy in June 2024, setting out expectations for staff in relation to corresponding with the patient's GP on discharge.
Daniela Pani
Partially Responded
2024-0664
28 Mar 2024
Berkshire
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Tru…
British Transport Police
South Western Railways
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Unimplemented safety measures at a train station, including lack of Samaritan signs and low fencing, were identified. Additionally, mental health staff lacked training on managing service users who decline critical 72-hour review meetings.
Noted
(AI summary)
SWR expresses condolences and explains a miscommunication regarding inquest information. They describe existing measures at Bracknell Train Station such as staffing, training, signage, and tactile paving. They also note that Network Rail is responsible for the lineside fencing issue. The Trust has updated training and guidance for staff on handling service users declining a 72-hour review meeting, clarifying the decision-making process and emphasizing patient-centered care. They have also provided pre-discharge guidance for staff on including the detail, expectations and importance of 72-hour reviews within the discharge safety plan.
Jacqueline Cobain
All Responded
2024-0163
25 Mar 2024
London Inner (South)
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundatio…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Concerning responses to an automatic questionnaire were not reviewed by a clinician until after the patient's death because the appointment had been cancelled; there is no system or protocol to alert a clinician to review concerning responses when the assessment appointment is not for several days/weeks.
Disputed
(AI summary)
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges the concerns raised but argues that it is clinically reasonable to honor a patient's cancellation and rebooking request without chasing them, and that developing a new protocol to automatically follow up cancelled appointments would negatively impact service efficiency and increase risk to the population.
Vanessa Ford
Partially Responded
2024-0125
4 Mar 2024
Inner North London
London Borough of Camden
London Borough of Hackney
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Frequent public access to railway tracks is facilitated by low walls, ineffective safety measures, and street furniture, posing significant risks, including to vulnerable individuals and children.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Hackney Council has removed recycling bins near Martel Place and is in discussions with highways and planning to improve identifying and flagging electrical apparatus and street furniture at such locations. Network Rail is working with the Local Authority to explore if further measures can be implemented to address the specific concerns identified by this incident. Works have already been scheduled to be undertaken on during early May to the access gate at Martel Place to increase the height and Vanguard anti-climb rollers may be installed.
Paz Ogbe-Millar
All Responded
2024-0060
5 Feb 2024
North London
West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate observation levels for mental health patients waiting in the Emergency Department create significant safety risks.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The hospital has replaced the previous proforma with an electronic assessment aligned with the current SOP, approved the PSIRP and PSIRF Policy, is implementing an electronic patient record system, is recruiting a Matron for Mental Health, is collaborating with Mental Health partnership teams to implement a Suicide Prevention Pathway Pilot, and has planned policy updates and a mental health awareness week.
Nicholas Dymond
All Responded
2023-0545
21 Dec 2023
Exeter and Greater Devon
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Independent mental health assessors lack mandated access to full patient records, while staff misunderstand voluntary admission and the "least restrictive option," potentially hindering appropriate care.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Devon Partnership NHS Trust now offers training for independent s.12 doctors to access CareNotes, and makes its best endeavours to ensure that at least one of the assessing doctors is a psychiatrist who works within the Trust; MHA assessments are subject to a robust audit process.
Amanda Hitch
Historic (No Identified Response)
2023-0535
19 Dec 2023
Essex
British Transport Police
Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Critical suicidal intent information was missed due to thematic clinical record display and a failure to use structured risk management tools. British Transport Police's multi-agency support plan also failed to communicate railway station attendances, especially from unstaffed stations.
Fraser Moore
Historic (No Identified Response)
2023-0497
4 Dec 2023
Inner South London
Department for Transport
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate CCTV coverage beyond station platforms and failure to immediately transmit footage to Route Control rooms increase the risk of undetected incidents in busy stations.
Gerard Goodwin
All Responded
2023-0451
14 Nov 2023
Cumbria
Westmorland and Furness Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The report expresses concern that Adult Social Care triage may be paying insufficient regard to the concerns of practitioners who have personally witnessed safeguarding concerns and that a care assessment recommended by a social worker was closed without further discussion.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Adult Social Services shared a directive with staff on 10th October 2023, instructing that if a case is de-allocated, it must be recorded as a case note on the electronic case recording system with a clear explanation. They have also implemented management oversight of all case closures to provide increased governance, and introduced a structured approach to improve communication between professionals and teams.
Benjamin Hazelden
Historic (No Identified Response)
2024-0026
26 Sep 2023
North East Kent
NHS England
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commission…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There are severe limitations in suitable specialist placements for young autistic adults with self-harm risks. Past unit closures have created a critical shortage of beds, leading to inappropriate care settings or discharge without adequate support.
Gordon Rodger
All Responded
2023-0292
24 Aug 2023
Cumbria
National Rail Infrastructure Limited
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Network Rail declined to install anti-trespass measures at Askam station, despite unusual accessibility points near a golf club, raising concerns about easy access for individuals intending self-harm.
Disputed
(AI summary)
Network Rail expresses condolences but states that boundary fencing in the area inspected meets required standards and no further action is needed regarding boundary integrity. They highlight their work with industry partners and charities to manage rail suicide risks.
Johanne Blackwood
All Responded
2023-0275
27 Jul 2023
Essex
Essex Partnership NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A severe lack of clarity in Care Coordinator handovers and absence of formal policy left a vulnerable patient without an allocated CC, and her risk assessment/care plan unupdated, following hospital discharge.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The Trust has implemented a formal structured handover template for care coordinators, approved for Trust-wide implementation, to capture vital information about patients' care and risk. All staff who administer medication are now required to complete annual medication competency assessments.
Ben Shipley
Historic (No Identified Response)
2023-0140
27 Apr 2023
West Yorkshire Western
NHS England
NHS Improvement
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A systemic delay in securing mental health beds means patients assessed for Section 2 are often left in A&E for hours, unable to be legally detained and without appropriate specialist care.
Samuel Howes
All Responded
2023-0133
24 Apr 2023
South London
Department of Health and Social Care
NHS England
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England has worked with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, who have identified dual diagnosis leads, established a CAMHS Dual Diagnosis forum, incorporated learning from Serious Incidents into team meetings, and are holding briefing sessions on AUDIT completion requirements. All reports received are discussed by the Regulation 28 Working Group. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns and refers to NHS England's response. It also mentions national initiatives for mental health and substance misuse services, including increased funding and commissioning quality standards.