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
Clear
PFD Reports
64 results
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.
Jeff Antwis
All Responded
2017-0392 13 Nov 2017 Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS …
Concerns summary (AI summary) A young person with suicidal ideation faced critical delays in receiving an urgent mental health review, despite family concerns. The practitioner lacked protocol awareness and conducted subjective risk assessments, further compounded by transitioning services and possible masking of symptoms.
Action Taken (AI summary) The Trust highlights several actions taken in response to concerns raised, including reflective learning sessions, improved communication between team members, crisis team support within the home, implementation of electronic patient records, training on assessment documentation, and new service availability through Kooth and The Childrens Society. They also plan to review cases and fill vacant posts and develop a joint crisis pathway by June 2018.
Harminder Dhillon
All Responded
2017-0266 6 Nov 2017 Bedfordshire and Luton
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The level crossing lacked CCTV monitoring and was prone to misuse due to insufficient half-barriers. The coroner suggested full-length barriers to prevent future incidents.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail is developing additional enhancements targeting accidental and deliberate misuse at Automatic Half Barrier Crossings (AHBCs). The Marston level crossing is scheduled to be replaced by a vehicular road bridge in 2019.
Daniel Campbell
All Responded
2017-0122 13 Apr 2017 North Northumberland
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Broken and disrepaired fencing separating a public footpath from the railway line created easy opportunities for impulsive trespass, increasing the risk of death.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail has included fencing upgrades in their 2018 renewals plan for the section of track where the incident occurred. Further works will be planned to improve the robustness of the boundary.
Stephen Cahill
All Responded
2016-0304 23 Aug 2016 Bedfordshire and Luton
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Easy access to the railway line through inadequate fencing and an access gate poses a risk, and a recommended review of these security measures has not been carried out.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail has commissioned works to enhance the fencing and gates in the area, including installing over 600m of fencing and upgrading the gate height and construction, to deter unauthorised access to the railway by January 15, 2017.
Susan Hamlett
All Responded
2016-wp25372 4 Aug 2016 Bedfordshire and Luton
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained access to the railway line through an access gate that provided little deterrence, and the area around the gate should be replaced with a more significant fence as a matter of urgency.
1 response from Hamlette Network Rail
Michael Younghusband
All Responded
2016-0235 23 Jun 2016 Exeter and Greater Devon
Great Western Railway
Concerns summary (AI summary) A railway crossing point was in a poor state, with a section standing proud of the track, presenting a significant tripping hazard for users.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail completed ballast surface improvement works at the East Devon Way crossing point on 20 July 2016, and edges of any trip hazards have been clearly marked.
Anna Masson
All Responded
2016-0108 15 Mar 2016 Central Hampshire
Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary) A new mental health referral screening pathway, conducted by junior staff, may not be robust enough to identify urgent cases, and there is inconsistent practice across the Trust's mental health teams.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust is reviewing its CMHT Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to standardize screening processes across all teams, ensuring appropriate staff expertise and multi-disciplinary team discussions. A randomised audit will be undertaken across CMHTs to ensure governance around the screening process, with completion expected in September 2016.
Jakovas Fofonovas
All Responded
2016-0077 26 Feb 2016 London Inner (South)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Safety recommendations from a British Transport Police report to restrict public access and enhance safety at a railway bridge remained unaddressed by the time of the inquest.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail demolished and replaced the footbridge at Bostall Manor Way with a new, safer design, including industry standard height railings (1250mm) and acoustic fencing with anti-climb extensions. Old building materials have been removed from the site.
Ashley Matthews
All Responded
2015-0297 23 Jul 2015 Black Country
British Transport Police
Concerns summary (AI summary) Insecure perimeter fencing allowed unauthorized access to the railway site, and there was a lack of warning signs for high voltage cabling on the bridge.
Action Taken (AI summary) Palisade fencing has been extended to prevent access, and regular inspections and repairs are being conducted. Signs warning of electrocution dangers have been placed on the overbridge.
Matthew Hoare
All Responded
2015-0203 27 May 2015 London (Inner South)
National Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Ineffective security equipment allowed easy access to the station and tracks after operational hours, with individuals able to climb through widely spaced yellow tape.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail reports that following the incident, the roller shutters at the station entrance have been reinstated and are now locked during non-operational hours, and anti-trespass grids have been installed at the Denmark Hill end of the platforms. LOROL are working on a system allowing their stations to be opened remotely from the central control centre.
Anthony Ponting
All Responded
2014-0332-wp24375 8 Jul 2014 Somerset (West)
Network Rail
Action Taken (AI summary) • The vegetation growth was cut back during the first week of August 2013. • Vegetation will continue to be routinely checked at six-monthly inspections. • The SLL sign on the down line was moved from 4.9 meters to 3 meters as recommended in the report.