Accidents involving passengers at Islington’s tube stations have risen by more than half over the past five years, raising concerns that safety standards have slipped.
New data for the seven stations in the borough – excluding Finsbury Park which sees a disproportionate number of incidents on Arsenal match days – show that the number of passenger accidents has increased by 55 per cent from a total of 53 in 2005 to 82 in 2009. At no stage during that period did the total number of incidents fall year-on-year, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Given the huge number of people using the tube every day serious accidents are a constant danger. Passenger numbers on the underground have risen every year since 2005 and 2009 saw 1.089 billion customers take the tube.
The majority of incidents were trips or falls occurring on escalators or stairways, but there were several more obscure mishaps, including three incidents of biting and four electrical shocks. The nature of injury incurred by passengers ranged from cuts and scrapes to bone fractures and unconsciousness.
The borough’s most treacherous stations for customers are Angel, Old Street and Highbury & Islington, which accounted for 249 (72 per cent) of the 357 accidents over the past five years. Meanwhile, passengers looking for a trouble-free journey would be advised to begin at Caledonian Road, which saw only three per cent of total accidents.
Although tube customers appear to be in greater danger, there is no such concern for London Underground employees, with the figures – obtained by a Freedom of Information Request – revealing that staff working at Islington stations suffered fewer accidents last year than in any year since 2005.
But the figures came as no surprise to Lilly Hamilton, 22, who fell on an escalator at Angel Station last week and required hospital treatment.
“I was rushing to catch the train and apparently tripped and fell about two thirds of the way down the escalator,” said Ms Hamilton, who was taken to hospital in an ambulance and received stitches for a head wound.
“I don’t remember anything about the fall, but my friends said the staff at the station were very calm and professional and looked after me until the ambulance arrived.”
She added: “It doesn’t surprise me that accidents are increasing, everyone’s always in such a rush and the escalator at Angel is very steep. I’m not sure what can be done about it. I was very lucky.”
A TfL spokeswoman said: “The safety of our customers is our top priority. London Underground always monitors incidents/injuries and encourages staff to record incidents no matter how minor. Where appropriate, we will investigate further to see whether any preventative actions can be taken.”
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Ms Hamilton – You seem unsure what can be done to reduce accidents such as the one you had? What can be done about it is slow down a bit so you can see where your feet are going. By your own admission you were ‘rushing to catch the train’ and you tripped. It ain’t rocket science and you won’t be putting others at risk as you tumble down the escalator knocking into them.
As Caledonian Road has a lift it’s no real surprise it has less accidents than any other station which has escalators. Even people in a rush would have a job injuring themselves in a lift.