BR cuts number of train-door deaths by half

THE NUMBER of people being killed by falling from train doors has been reduced sharply as a result of tighter safety procedures on British Rail, writes Christian Wolmar.

Figures released yesterday by the Health and Safety Executive show that nine people died in such incidents last year, compared with an average of 19 in each of the previous eight years. Last year, the HSE, in a preliminary report, found that faulty door locks may have caused a small proportion of the 324 fatalities between 1972 and 1990. It criticised maintenance monitoring procedures and called on BR to ensure doors did not open inadvertently.

British Rail attributes the decline to 'a combination of engineering improvements and warnings to passengers'. BR said action taken included improved maintenance, better staff training and the fitting of fluorescent strips to show open doors.

Passenger Falls From Train Doors, HSE Investigation; HMSO; pounds 7.50