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
Bernard Ovu
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0425 27 Nov 2017 London (East)
London Underground
Concerns summary (AI summary) Lack of clear written procedures for lone staff dealing with trespassers, inconsistent practice, and difficult access to CCTV for verification contributed to confusion and unconfirmed assumptions.
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.
Lucy Goldstone
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0168 26 May 2017 Manchester (City)
Department for Transport Department of Health and Social Care
Concerns summary (AI summary) There are no Automated Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs) available on trams or at tram stops across the Metrolink network.
Robert Mullis
Partially Responded
2017-0166 23 May 2017 Kent (Central and South East)
Network Rail South Eastern Railways
Concerns summary (AI summary) A vulnerable, partially sighted patient with dementia was able to disembark a high-speed train unaccompanied and access railway tracks directly from the end of the platform.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail has installed platform-end fencing and anti-trespass panels on platforms 2, 5, and 6 and the London end of platform 1 at Ashford International Station. Equivalent fencing will be installed at the country end of platform 1 by the end of July 2017.
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.
George Dicker
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0083 13 Mar 2017 London (North)
RSSB
Concerns summary (AI summary) There is no alarm or warning system to alert railway signallers when a person accesses the tracks via a gate at the end of a platform.
Derek Thomas
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0016 27 Jan 2017 Hampshire (North East)
HM Principal Inspector of Railways Office of Rail and Road
Concerns summary (AI summary) The unmanned and unprotected railway crossing relies solely on a distant train horn for warning, with previously obscured visibility contributing to safety risks.
Thomas Coyne
Historic (No Identified Response)
2017-0207 19 Jan 2017 Cheshire
Northern Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Inadequate CCTV coverage at the station and the absence of physical barriers at platform ends allowed unmonitored access to the tracks, posing a serious safety risk.
Lauris Kodors
Historic (No Identified Response)
2016-0357 13 Sep 2016 London (North)
RSSB
Concerns summary (AI summary) The RSSB Rule Book inadequately permits stopping trains only when a person threatens damage to the train, not when a person is in danger from an approaching train.
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
Richard Hinchliffe
Historic (No Identified Response)
2016-0234 24 Jun 2016 London Inner (South)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Concerns include inadequate security of railway platform barriers and a lack of monitoring for a passenger asleep on the platform for an extended period at a 24-hour staffed station.
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.
Adam Connelly
Partially Responded
2015-0284 17 Jul 2015 Manchester (West)
British Transport Police Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The low height of walls accessing a railway footbridge allowed easy public access to tracks, creating a significant risk of future fatalities that Network Rail needs to address.
Action Planned (AI summary) Network Rail will install shorter palisade pales and raise the height of the stepped parapet with engineering brick. The works are expected to be completed by the end of October 2015.
Lewis Ghessen
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0213 9 Jun 2015 London (North)
Rail Safety and Standards Board
Concerns summary (AI summary) The RSSB Rule Book is flawed as it only permits stopping trains to prevent damage, not to protect individuals in danger from a train.
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.
Elliott Bignall
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0111 23 Mar 2015 West Sussex
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The railway foot crossing was poorly lit with inadequate signage, posing a danger to pedestrians who might not see or hear approaching high-speed trains, especially if distracted.
Aaron Plowman
Historic (No Identified Response)
2014-0411 19 Sep 2014 London (Inner South)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Unblocked access points to commercial unit roofs under railway arches allow unauthorized persons to climb from the street, posing a safety risk.
William France
Historic (No Identified Response)
2014-0409 18 Sep 2014 Somerset (West)
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) Railway crossing barriers malfunctioned due to a single-arm treddle, causing long delays. Drivers also faced obstructed visibility and a poorly located emergency telephone.
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.
Emma Lifsey
Historic (No Identified Response)
2014-0204 7 May 2014 Nottinghamshire
Network Rail
Concerns summary (AI summary) The coroner noted that old-style filament bulbs in wig wag lights at the Beech Hill crossing were less than half as bright as they should have been and that the replacement of these lights with LEDs at level crossings was taking too long, given the known issue of sun glare affecting signal visibility.