A report into a fatal accident when a man died after putting his head out a train window has found adequate preventive measures were not in place.
Simon Brown, 24, of East Grinstead, died after putting his head out the window of a Gatwick Express train on August 7, 2016. He suffered fatal head injuries when he struck a signal gantry near Wandsworth Common station, Balham.
Mr Brown, for reasons unknown, stuck his head out the window of a door only meant to be used by train personnel. Known to be a train enthusiast, he was travelling between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria when he sustained the fatal injuries.
Each passenger door has a window that can be opened, but only with a key and only to a limited extent. However, the window on the guard’s door can be opened enough for staff to look out of when the train is stopped.
The report states: “There was nothing to prevent passengers from opening the window or putting their head out of the opened window.”
There was a small yellow warning sticker which read: “Emergency ventilation. Do no lean out of window when train is moving.”
The report, released by Rail Accident Investigation, also found “no evidence” as to why Mr Brown put his head out the window. There was a fault with the CCTV on the train so no footage could be observed.
A post mortem examination found no alcohol or drugs in his system and evidence suggested he was not taking a photograph.
Along with inadequate security measures to prevent a passenger from leaning out the window, when the ambulance was called, a fault in the configuration of telephone lines meant the incident was reported to the non-emergency line 101.
The response time was 17 minutes.
Since Mr Brown died, yellow tape was put on guard’s doors to warn other passengers.
Network Rail has also fixed the fault with the emergency and non-emergency lines.
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