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).

Response Status
Responded 77 No Response 3 Historic 23
AI Classification
Action Taken 43%
Action Planned 37%
Noted 16%
Disputed 4%
Based on 114 classified responses
Reports by Quarter
PFD Reports
103 results
Xuanze Piao
All Responded
2020-0230 11 Nov 2020 Coventry
Coventry University
Concerns summary (AI summary) The university failed to hold a face-to-face meeting or contact the guardian/parents of an under-18 overseas student before sending a critical email indicating course removal risk, revealing a lack of clear communication policy.
Action Planned (AI summary) Coventry University is undertaking a full review of its policy and procedures relating to students who are under the age of 18, expected to be complete by January 31, 2021. They have also put in place an additional process for responding when international students under 18 fail to engage with their course, including a face-to-face meeting with a welfare advisor.
Luiz Anjos
All Responded
2020-0259 13 Jul 2020 Essex
Highways Agency Essex County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary) Easy access over the footbridge parapet and sides at the location remains a significant safety concern, despite other identified issues having been remedied.
Action Planned (AI summary) Essex Highways has identified three potential options to improve safety at the St Dominic Road Footbridge and prefers installing full-height corrugated steel parapets. A full structural assessment is estimated to be completed by the end of January 2021, with design and refurbishment works to follow, subject to Network Rail approval.
Flora Shen
Partially Responded
2020-0115 29 May 2020 London; Inner North London
Office of Rail & Road Train Services, DLR Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary) The DLR emergency response system is overly complex, requiring multiple steps for passengers to activate, and relies heavily on the public to notice and report track hazards, as CCTV cannot monitor all areas simultaneously.
Noted (AI summary) The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) acknowledges the report but states they do not have the power to take the actions proposed; they recommend the report be directed to Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLR), Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD), and TfL. The ORR says DLR is keeping the topic of obstacle detection under review. TfL and Keolis Amey Docklands will enhance the visibility of platform alarms and continue to work towards a possible trial of CCTV obstacle detection technology; they will also discuss platform CCTV with other light rail operators.
Jordan Aira
Partially Responded
2020-0082 30 Mar 2020 Surrey
Department for Education Network Rail South Western Railway
Concerns summary (AI summary) Absence of physical barriers at platform ends, location of emergency phones near tracks, inadequate warning signs about live rail dangers, and lack of related education in the national curriculum create significant railway safety risks.
Noted (AI summary) SWR outlines existing signage at Ashford station and describes its participation in national campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of railway safety and reduce trespassing. They do not consider further action is required, but will continue to engage with the wider rail group. Network Rail describes existing measures to prevent access to the railway tracks, including physical barriers and signage, as well as ongoing educational programs and safety campaigns. They have reduced overall trespass incidents by 24% and youth trespass by 32% in two years.
Kerry Aldridge
Partially Responded
2020-0055 10 Feb 2020 London Inner South
Metropolitan Police service South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation
Concerns summary (AI summary) Police safeguarding teams lack established links with NHS mental health services and officers need further training to appropriately assess and refer individuals requiring urgent mental health support.
Action Planned (AI summary) The trust acknowledges the concerns and will have preliminary discussions regarding providing Mental Health First Aid training to specific Metropolitan Police officers in designated roles by the end of March 2020. They also highlight existing mental health support services available to police officers, including a crisis and assessment team and a Pan London S.136 telephone advice line.
James Fennell
Historic (No Identified Response)
2019-0391 19 Nov 2019 Berkshire
South Western Railways Office of Rail and Road
Concerns summary (AI summary) Wokingham Station has insufficient and poorly located signage for the live third rail, with no warnings visible from main platform areas or tactile paving, despite high footfall and significant electrocution risk.
Patrick Bolster
All Responded
2019-0314 25 Sep 2019 London Inner (North)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) A broken fence was not inspected for over two years due to dense vegetation blocking the view, inspectors failed to view the fence from the public side, and system failures led to the track engineer and internal auditors not seeing evidence of the failure to inspect the fence.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail is issuing a National Safety Bulletin to Off Track teams, completing a special topic audit on compliance with the new boundary inspection standard, and reviewing national data. These actions are tracked via the Network Rail CMO-Compliance Tracked Action system.
Ben Haddon-Cave
All Responded
2019-0314-wp26824 25 Sep 2019 London Inner (North)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Railway fence inspection failures, exacerbated by dense vegetation and inadequate viewing practices, alongside systemic flaws in dual inspection reporting, led to a lack of oversight and repair.
Action Planned (AI summary) • A National Safety Bulletin will be issued to all Off Track teams, which are the Network Rail maintenance teams that carry out boundary inspections. • The National Safety Bulletin will reference the key learning from this tragic event, specifically stating that where a team is unable to view a boundary fence from trackside due to vegetation, they must view the fence from the other (public) side. • The National Safety Bulletin will also state that if the fence cannot be viewed from either side, the team must record this and escalate it to their supervisor.
Carl Klimaytys
All Responded
2019-0276 7 Aug 2019 Brighton and Hove
Govia Thameslink Railways Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The fact that a member of the public discovered the body on the railway platform raises concerns about monitoring and detection systems.
Noted (AI summary) Network Rail clarifies that Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is responsible for signage at Preston Park station under the terms of their lease and that Network Rail supports safety awareness programmes, including the 'You vs Train' film, and runs seasonal publicity campaigns warning about the risks of excessive alcohol intake on the railway. GTR has enhanced training for Help Point Assessment, including functional tasks and a competency management system. Information resources now include access to a 'Track Access' system and the Stations Made Easy section of National Rail Enquiries.
Colin Cameron
All Responded
2019-0218 26 Jun 2019 Gloucestershire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Signallers lacked instructions for extracting information from users, and authorities had not sufficiently considered closing the railway crossing.
Noted (AI summary) Network Rail states that instructions *are* provided to signallers, and closing the crossing would require agreement from the authorised user, for which compensation has been offered. They have also contacted the public rights of way officer at Gloucestershire County Council to consider the feasibility of extinguishing or diverting the bridleway.
Lewis Doyle
Partially Responded
2019-0214 24 Jun 2019 Liverpool
Department of Health and Social Care NHS England NHS Improvement
Concerns summary (AI summary) Discharge letters for patients with complex conditions are not being sent to all relevant medical attendants, leading to a lack of critical information for original prescribers regarding suspended medications.
Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns about communication between medical practitioners and refers to existing NHS Standard Contract requirements and professional duties regarding information sharing, but does not commit to specific new actions. NHS England and NHS Improvement are connecting organisations to the Cheshire and Merseyside health and care record sharing platform, which includes the ability to share discharge summaries and clinic letters, with technical completion due by March 2021.
Georgia Nelson
All Responded
2019-0140 29 Apr 2019 London Inner (West)
Central and North West London NHS Trust Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Concerns summary (AI summary) There is a lack of suitable housing specifically for young patients with severe and enduring mental health issues.
Action Planned (AI summary) RBKC and partner agencies are working together to identify ongoing needs and service developments arising from the closure of rehabilitation inpatient beds at Horton, including a potential local 'wrap around community rehab offer' with support and rehabilitation services in supported accommodation within 18 months. CNWL acknowledges the concerns raised and states that as discharge planning starts at admission, they will follow new NICE guidance on considering rehabilitation as appropriate. They offer a range of person-centred interventions and have a well-developed vocational service, offering Employment Support using the Individual Placement and Support Model, a User Employment Programme and a strong programme of Peer Support.
Alfonso Sinclair
All Responded
2019-0141 29 Apr 2019 London Inner (West)
Transport for London
Concerns summary (AI summary) A distressed individual's overtly odd and illegal behaviour at a tube station went unnoticed and unchallenged by staff, despite CCTV, due to a lack of system to alert odd behaviour or alarms at platform end barriers.
Action Planned (AI summary) London Underground will review its training for front-line station staff on spotting unusual suicidal behaviour to include customer behaviours at the gateline and ticket hall, with changes implemented by late 2019. Initial trials of new remote accessibility systems for CCTV and other systems are expected by the end of 2020.
Danyon Chesters
All Responded
2019-0079 26 Feb 2019 Manchester (South)
Department of Health and Social Care
Concerns summary (AI summary) Significant delays in accessing NHS mental health services led to fragmented private care, lack of information sharing between professionals, and private therapists not reviewing medication, impacting the deceased's treatment.
Noted (AI summary) The Department acknowledges the concerns raised and explains the NHS's role in commissioning services and targets for psychological therapies. They reference guidance for therapists on managing client confidentiality and risk, emphasizing the importance of acting within their expertise and seeking advice when necessary. They highlight government initiatives for suicide prevention.
Steven Key
All Responded
2019-0102 25 Feb 2019 Cumbria
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate low fencing at the railway line allowed easy access, posing a significant risk of death or injury from high-speed trains to both adults and children, despite a clear duty to prevent access.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail has installed additional meshing and netting at the location. They will investigate whether affixing a mesh to the galvanised iron tubular hand rail safety rail at the top of the bridge could make this area more secure.
Christopher McGuffie
All Responded
2018-0386 10 Dec 2018 County Durham and Darlington
Northern Rail Limited
Concerns summary (AI summary) Railway stations lack immediate and effective alert systems for detecting and reporting persons on the line.
Action Planned (AI summary) Arriva Rail North is developing a campaign using various media, providing bespoke training for customer service controllers and are looking to bring forward the planned installation of CCTV at Chester le Street station.
Richard Hill
All Responded
15 Nov 2018 Nottinghamshire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The railway crossing lacked essential telephones and Network Rail contact information, posing a risk of repeat incidents due to inadequate emergency communication at the site.
1 response from Richard Hill
Ryan Williams
Historic (No Identified Response)
2018-0341 6 Nov 2018 Bedfordshire & Luton
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Unsupervised, unmanned stations pose a risk, as vulnerable individuals can remain on premises for extended periods without any oversight or means of intervention.
Kevin Sherwood
All Responded
2018-0289 11 Sep 2018 Hertfordshire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Insufficient railway boundary fencing, consisting only of post and wire, in an area frequented by walkers, creates a risk of trespass onto the train line.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail has increased the frequency of fence inspections to three-monthly and scheduled renewal of the fencing in the Inckneild Hitchin area for 2019/2020. Platform End Anti-trespass measures have been added to Hitchin Station.
Darren Urquhart
Historic (No Identified Response)
2018-0291 10 Sep 2018 Hertfordshire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate railway anti-trespass measures, including poor trespass mat placement, missing platform gates, and insufficient fencing, create a risk of future deaths from track access.
Daniel O’Mahony
All Responded
2018-0258 30 Aug 2018 Hertfordshire
London North Western Railways
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate railway anti-trespass measures, including missing gates, gaps in fencing, and unreviewed signage, increase access to railway lines and the risk of future deaths.
Action Planned (AI summary) West Midlands Railway (operated by West Midlands Trains) removed an outdated Samaritans sign and will install new signs at the Hemel Hempstead Railway Station. Network Rail have submitted a remit to install fencing and a swing gate, and to fill gaps between platforms 2 and 3 with sliding gates.
Taiyah-Grace Peebles
All Responded
2018-0239 24 Jul 2018 North East Kent
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Many railway platforms lack barriers to prevent accidental contact with live rails, which pose a significant electrocution risk compared to safer overhead power systems used elsewhere.
Action Taken (AI summary) Platform-end gates have been installed at 30 locations in Kent and Sussex. £800,000 of work is due to be completed by April 2019 to improve fencing at higher risk areas.
Bartholomew Coleman
All Responded
2018-0250 10 Jul 2018 Dorset
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The railway line is easily accessible from a bridge with a low wall, showing signs of frequent public use and alcohol consumption, without adequate warning of danger.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail is planning to apply mitigation measures (wire mesh panels with base plated fence posts fixed to the top of the parapet walls) to further deter access to the track below, with an anticipated completion date of the end of September 2018. They will also erect a warning sign of the dangers presented.
Scott Rayner
All Responded
2017-0345 20 Dec 2017 Hertfordshire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate fencing adjacent to the railway track, specifically behind a scrap metal dealer, presented a significant risk of trespass onto a high-speed line for both adults and children.
Action Taken (AI summary) Following a post-incident report, Network Rail inspected boundary fencing around St Albans Road and Bedford Street, and completed enhancement work on 22 February 2018, including installing additional palisade fencing in the area.
Sarah Athersmith
Partially Responded
2017-0350 30 Nov 2017 Black Country
HM Inspector of Railways Network Rail Office of Rail and Road (ORR) +1 more
Concerns summary (AI summary) An unprotected level crossing lacked warning systems, causing confusion when multiple trains passed, and double-height freight carriages obscured views, increasing pedestrian danger.
Noted (AI summary) Network Rail confirms that the crossing was closed to members of the public on 26 September 2017 via temporary order granted by Walsall Local Authority and remains closed today. In 2016 enhancements were made including extending the crossing deck, installing low level solar lighting studs, and de-vegetation works. Walsall MBC are undertaking an urgent review of Network Rail's revised closure application and continue to provide assistance and guidance to Network Rail in the closure application process. As Walsall MBC is not the landowner, it has no authority to convert the crossing into a controlled crossing.