Train hits pram at Banbury station throwing infant onto platform

The pram rolled forward as the train arrived

A two-month-old infant was thrown out of its pram after being hit by a train at Banbury station.   A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report (published today) said it happened after the pram rolled forwards past the yellow safety line on the platform as the train arrived.

The infant’s parent had momentarily let go of the pram whilst stood on a part of the platform which sloped towards the platform edge.

The incident occurred on June 8 at around 12.26pm as northbound passenger train travelling between Reading and York entered platform 2.

The train was slowing down to stop at the station, but still travelling at an estimated 35 mph at the time.   When the pram was clipped by the train it span and tipped over, resulting in the infant falling out onto the platform surface.   The infant sustained a minor head injury as a result.

Prior to the train’s arrival the infant’s parent and another relative were stood with the pram parallel to the platform edge.   As the train arrived the infant’s parent started to move the pram closer to the platform edge, intending to board the train, with the pram’s wheels touching the yellow line.   The infant’s parent then leant away from the pram to place one hand on their wheeled luggage and turned to face their relative, momentarily letting go of the pram.   It was then the pram began to move towards the platform edge.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch say that at the time of Banbury station’s construction there was no requirement for platforms to slope away from the railway and many platforms constructed at this time were built with a degree of slope towards the track to assist in the drainage of water.

They added that the accident demonstrates the importance of station operators taking appropriate steps to understand any hazards associated with the platforms they operate.

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Published: 07/11/2024 03:22pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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