Fatal accident at Eden Park station, Kent, 26 February 2020
At about 19:05 hrs on Wednesday 26 February 2020, a person suffered fatal injuries after falling from the edge of a platform at Eden Park station, and being struck almost immediately afterwards by the train operating the 19:00 hrs Hayes to London Charing Cross passenger service.
The person had impaired vision. In common with many British mainline stations, the platform edge was not equipped with a tactile surface designed to warn people with impaired vision when they are near the edge.
Our investigation will aim to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident, and consider factors relating to the provision of tactile surfaces on station platforms and any relevant underlying factors.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.