Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Thomas Coyne
Ref: 2017-0207
Date: 19 Jan 2017
Coroner: John Pollard
Area: Cheshire
Responses identified: 0 / 1
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Inadequate CCTV coverage at the station and the absence of physical barriers at platform ends allowed unmonitored access to the tracks, posing a serious safety risk.
Date
19 Jan 2017
56-day deadline
20 Mar 2017
Responses identified
0 of 1
Coroner's concerns
Inadequate CCTV coverage at the station and the absence of physical barriers at platform ends allowed unmonitored access to the tracks, posing a serious safety risk.
View full coroner's concerns
The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. –
I was informed by the representative of the British Transport police who gave evidence to me , that Northern Rail own the train which struck the deceased and they also own/manage Earlestown station.
Two matters of concern arose:-
1. The CCTV installed at the station and which can be monitored by the staff on duty, does not actually cover all the platform areas, and thus the member of staff could not see Mr Coyne (who was the only passenger on the station at the time) as he mistakenly wandered on to the tracks.
2. There is apparently absolutely no physical barrier of any kind at the end of platform three, thus allowing unfettered access to the tracks at that point.
I was informed by the representative of the British Transport police who gave evidence to me , that Northern Rail own the train which struck the deceased and they also own/manage Earlestown station.
Two matters of concern arose:-
1. The CCTV installed at the station and which can be monitored by the staff on duty, does not actually cover all the platform areas, and thus the member of staff could not see Mr Coyne (who was the only passenger on the station at the time) as he mistakenly wandered on to the tracks.
2. There is apparently absolutely no physical barrier of any kind at the end of platform three, thus allowing unfettered access to the tracks at that point.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 24th May 2016 I commenced an investigation into the death of Thomas Coyne born 8th August 1959. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18th January 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was one of Accidental Death with the medical cause being 1a Multiple Injuries.
Circumstances of the death
On the 21st May 2016 the deceased attended a stag party and consumed a quantity of alcohol. He was later making his way home when he inadvertently entered Earlestown Railway station. He wandered across all three platforms and then progressed along platform three, down the unprotected slope, and on to the lines. a short time thereafter he was struck by a passing train as he walked along the left hand cess.
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Report details
- Reference
- 2017-0207
- Date of report
- 19 January 2017
- Coroner
- John Pollard
- Coroner area
- Cheshire
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 1
1 response not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 20 Mar 2017.
Sent to
- Northern Rail