Schoolgirl crosses the tracks at Latimer Road station.

[swt class 450]

I found this article about a schoolgirl crossing the tracks at Latimer Road.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...eath-stepping-LIVE-rail-walks-Tube-lines.html

There are also some photos if you click on the link.

Horrifying moment a schoolgirl dices with death by stepping over a LIVE rail as she walks across Tube lines

By Alex Matthews For Mailonline
10:08, 09 Dec 2016, updated 13:46, 09 Dec 2016

• Teen spotted crossing tracks at Latimer Road Tube station in west London
• London Underground were made aware by passenger who phoned incident in
• TfL is not opening criminal proceedings but will visit's teen's west London school
• RMT Union said incident highlighted threat to safety caused by lack of staff
• A schoolgirl was spotted dicing with death as she stepped over a live rail at a Tube station.

The teen crossed the tracks at Latimer Road station, in west London, as gobsmacked passengers looked on, this morning.

London Underground were made aware of the shocking incident, on the Hammersmith and City line, after a traveller phoned in and sent a picture.

Shocking: A schoolgirl crosses live rival at Latimer Road Tube station in west London

While it cannot be said whether or not the girl would have been instantly electrocuted if she had stepped on the track, 630V of electricity courses through the live rail.

Transport for London has confirmed that the teen goes to a local west London school and that they - along with officers from British Transport Police - will visit the school to perform a safety briefing.

No criminal proceedings will follow the incident at Latimer Road.

'We have carried out an urgent investigation into this incident and the station was staffed at the time. We would also like to remind customers that, for their own safety, they should not go onto the tracks.

'We use travel ambassadors strategically to assist our customers during particularly busy times, such as large sporting events.

'The festive season is always one such time, and the disruption caused by delays on the Piccadilly line means that we have an obligation to our customers to do all we can to help them complete their journeys.'

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the crossing highlighted the threat to safety caused by leaving stations unstaffed

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the crossing highlighted the threat to safety caused by leaving stations unstaffed.

Members of the RMT and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association are currently refusing to work overtime as part of industrial action over job cuts and the closure of ticket offices.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: 'RMT warned Tube bosses again and again that the job cuts they were proposing would leave many stations unstaffed.

'This is exactly what happened at Latimer Road where it took a passenger with a mobile phone to let London Underground know that a schoolchild has been wandering across electrified track while trains run.'

However, TfL has denied the claim that the incident was down to a lack of staffing and said that Latimer Road is staffed, but only at the gate line.

The RMT Union are suggesting that incidents like this are due to a lack of staff.

I do wonder why she decided to cross by using the tracks? Did she acidentally go to the wrong platform and couldnt be bothered to use the subway or foorbridge (whichever one Latimer Road has) to get back to the correct platform? I cant think why else she would cross the tracks?

It is certainly very unsafe. On London Underground is it only the normal third rail that is electrified (as on third rail National Rail lines) or is the fourth rail (the middle rail) electrified as well?

 

[Mojo]

It is certainly very unsafe. On London Underground is it only the normal third rail that is electrified (as on third rail National Rail lines) or is the fourth rail (the middle rail) electrified as well?

They are both electrified.

 

[AlterEgo]

Jeez. Time to crack out the old railway safety videos we used to get shown in school. She can't have had any clue there are electrified rails there.

 

[rebmcr]

It is certainly very unsafe. On London Underground is it only the normal third rail that is electrified (as on third rail National Rail lines) or is the fourth rail (the middle rail) electrified as well?

The outer rail is at +420v and the centre at -210v (this provides 630v of potential to the motors), which means unless someone touches both, the maximum potential difference from Ground is 420v.

 

[Daniel Pyke]

Still plenty enough to fry you though.

 

[Domh245]

The outer rail is at +420v and the centre at -210v (this provides 630v of potential to the motors), which means unless someone touches both, the maximum potential difference from Ground is 420v.

Although they'll soon be going to +500v -250v on the SSL!

 

[Mag_seven]

The RMT Union are suggesting that incidents like this are due to a lack of staff.

What the hell has a "lack of staff" got to do with it - unless the RMT is demanding 10 members of staff on every platform to stop this!

 

[Phil.]

Usual "lack of staff" nonsense from the union. Half a dozen members of staff on the platform won't and can't prevent someone hopping down and strolling off. Happened regularly at Redhill when I lived there. Local rag did an article a couple of years ago and one of the staff members interviewed stated quite accurately that:
He wasn't allowed on the tracks to grab them
Shouting at them made no difference
One of his colleagues apprehended two lad who took a shortcut across from
P3 to P2 and got knocked about in the process
You can't stop Darwinism or arrogance.

 

[AlterEgo]

What the hell has a "lack of staff" got to do with it - unless the RMT is demanding 10 members of staff on every platform to stop this!

Just the RMT talking out of their posterior again. Quite difficult for them as usually that's where they place their heads.

 

[philthetube]

The outer rail is at +420v and the centre at -210v (this provides 630v of potential to the motors), which means unless someone touches both, the maximum potential difference from Ground is 420v.

Voltage dosn't matter, amps matter. Also DC is far more dangerous than AC as DC holds you to it, AC throws you off, as anyone who has touched a live wire of any ampage will know.

 

[Jonny]

Voltage dosn't matter, amps matter. Also DC is far more dangerous than AC as DC holds you to it, AC throws you off, as anyone who has touched a live wire of any ampage will know.

It's more of a team effort, voltage clears a path by breaking down resistance and then amps come in and do the damage.

 

[Nym]

Voltage dosn't matter, amps matter. Also DC is far more dangerous than AC as DC holds you to it, AC throws you off, as anyone who has touched a live wire of any ampage will know.

Given that in that area, you're able to draw down around 3000 - 5000A from the supply...?

 

[londonbridge]

the version in the physical paper said the girls school has been notified but no charges will be bought. Er, why the hell not? Prosecute her for trespass at least.

 

[deltic]

the version in the physical paper said the girls school has been notified but no charges will be bought. Er, why the hell not? Prosecute her for trespass at least.

why - what purpose will it fulfill?

 

[Phil.]

why - what purpose will it fulfill?

Punishment serves two purposes.

It informs the punished that they have done wrong.
It serves as a warning to others.

 

[deltic]

Punishment serves two purposes.

It informs the punished that they have done wrong.
It serves as a warning to others.

There are other ways of doing the first without prosecuting a teenager and potentially greatly changing their life chances for the worse.

The second is likely to have little impact - 99% of teenagers will never be aware of the prosecution and even if they were it is unlikely to change their behaviour.

Education is usually a far better approach in this type of instance

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Education is usually a far better approach in this type of instance

Do they still have railway staff going round schools explaining how dangerous it is to tresspass on the railway, abuse level crossings, etc? I know they used to years ago

 

[deltic]

Do they still have railway staff going round schools explaining how dangerous it is to tresspass on the railway, abuse level crossings, etc? I know they used to years ago

I dont know - neither of my children's primary or secondary school have had such visits and both are located very close to rail lines

 

[bramling]

why - what purpose will it fulfill?

What's the point in having laws against trespass on the operational railway if they're not enforced.

I fancy having a walk round my local electrified railway depot to take some photos. Nice to know I won't be prosecuted if caught.

(NB, the above is in jest).

 

[Phil.]

There are other ways of doing the first without prosecuting a teenager and potentially greatly changing their life chances for the worse.

The second is likely to have little impact - 99% of teenagers will never be aware of the prosecution and even if they were it is unlikely to change their behaviour.

Education is usually a far better approach in this type of instance

I wasn't really referring to this specific case. Just pointing out the general reason. Personally, I'd have shown her parents the film with her in attendance and then asked her how might be the best way to tell her parents that the bits of her that didn't get cooked on the conductor rail have just been hose-piped off the front of a train.

 

[deltic]

What's the point in having laws against trespass on the operational railway if they're not enforced.

I fancy having a walk round my local electrified railway depot to take some photos. Nice to know I won't be prosecuted if caught.

(NB, the above is in jest).

Enforcing the law does not always require prosecution of the offence - in this instance prosecution is unlikely to be the most effective way of dealing with the situation. As Phil points out in rather graphic terms education of her peers and herself is likely to have a more positive impact on behaviour.

 

[richardderby]

What the hell has a "lack of staff" got to do with it - unless the RMT is demanding 10 members of staff on every platform to stop this!

Apparently, the tube station was unstaffed at the time of the incident, due to staff shortages People should ascertain the facts before bashing the transport unions, had a member of staff been present, this may of been avoided.

 

[deltic]

Apparently, the tube station was unstaffed at the time of the incident, due to staff shortages People should ascertain the facts before bashing the transport unions, had a member of staff been present, this may of been avoided.

That's interesting as TfL spokesman was quoted in press reports that there was a member of staff on the gate line.

 

[richardderby]

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That's interesting as TfL spokesman was quoted in press reports that there was a member of staff on the gate line.

it difficult to know which side to believe

http://www.rmtlondoncalling.org.uk/...ed-tracks-tube-station-unstaffed-due-job-cuts

 

[Tetchytyke]

it difficult to know which side to believe

I'm guessing it was staffed by a "travel ambassador" rather than a station staff member.

Although, being an above-ground station, there's no requirement for it to be staffed.

 

[Mojo]

I'm guessing it was staffed by a "travel ambassador" rather than a station staff member.

They wouldn't have used a Travel Ambassador at somewhere like that, except for special events.

 

[philthetube]

If a member of staff was on the gateline they would not see the girl, and even if they did without a staff member at the end of every platform they would not help avoid this kind of incident.

 

[southern442]

There are other ways of doing the first without prosecuting a teenager and potentially greatly changing their life chances for the worse.

There was another potential (and far more likely) outcome of this scenario that would have 'changed her life chances for the worse'!

I think she should definitely be sanctioned, not only is she a complete and utter idiot who shouldn't be allowed to travel on public transport with that mentality, but it also adds to a very negative image of young people (of which I am one) in the public.

 

[Bromley boy]

There was another potential (and far more likely) outcome of this scenario that would have 'changed her life chances for the worse'!

I think she should definitely be sanctioned, not only is she a complete and utter idiot who shouldn't be allowed to travel on public transport with that mentality, but it also adds to a very negative image of young people (of which I am one) in the public.

I agree. As a teenager even of 13/14, that's plenty old enough to know better.

At the very least the BTP should be having a stern chat with her and her parents even if TFL are not pursuing a full prosecution.

 

[BestWestern]

I agree. As a teenager even of 13/14, that's plenty old enough to know better.

At the very least the BTP should be having a stern chat with her and her parents even if TFL are not pursuing a full prosecution.

The choice of either an official sanction or standing up in her school hall in front of her peers and explaining her reasoning for being so incredibly stupid, with BTP present to issue some rather harsh follow-up advice.

The idea that a teenager doesn't know that strolling across a railway line is dangerous is a deeply outdated viewpoint, I'm afraid. They do it because they think they're above the rules, not because they don't think it's wrong.