Tube driver rescues teen who climbed on to rail track
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Printable
EmailThe folly of the push for driverless Tube trains was exposed yet again today after a London Underground driver narrowly prevented tragedy when a child got on the track.
In the latest of three cases in as many weeks a 12-year-old boy stayed on a train as it went into sidings after its final passenger stop.
Rail union RMT said the boy squeezed past the inner car barrier and the driver spotted him near the potentially fatal 430-volt live rail and got him back on the train.
Previously trains were physically checked to ensure they were empty but staffing cuts did away with this vital safety check.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow warned that London Mayor Boris Johnson was "mouthing soundbites" about further destaffing and driverless trains at the Tory conference.
"We want a meeting to review the whole detrainment process and a return to a safe way of working," he said.
London Underground said on Tuesday although it would continue to explore new technology there were "no plans" for driverless trains - for the moment.
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