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Tube train drove off on its own after driver went for an ’emergency’ toilet break


People on the new concourse outside the exit / entrance to the Elizabeth Line underground at London Paddington railway station, which is still under redevelopment on 9th January 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Paddington, also known as London Paddington, is a Central London railway terminus and London Underground station complex, located on Praed Street in the Paddington area. The site has been the London terminus of services provided by the Great Western Railway and its successors since 1838. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

The train, which had stopped at Paddington Station, drove off about a mile away to Westbourne Park with no driver on board. (Picture: Getty Images/Mike Kemp)

A train driver on London’s Elizabeth Line sparked a safety alert after going for an ’emergency’ toilet break and accidentally letting their train drive off on its own.

The driver, whose identity is unknown, told a signaller they needed an ‘emergency personal needs break’ before stopping at Paddington station.

Staff members at Paddington got passengers off the train while the driver jumped off to use the loo.

However, once the train’s doors closed, staff were surprised to see the vehicle move off with no driver on board.

Luckily no passengers were on board when the train left Paddington. (Picture: Getty Images/Richard Baker)

Luckily, no passengers were on the train when it left the station unmanned. 

The train moved itself about a mile away from Paddington to a siding at Westbourne Park.

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The driver had mistakenly put the train into auto-reverse mode, used generally when it is time for it to change direction. 

The incident took place during rush hour on Friday, October 11.

After the confusion, an alert was given to drivers telling them to give signallers more notice about toilet trips to avoid similar situations in the future.

The alert said: ‘If you require an emergency [personal needs break] then contact the signaller and control in good time, giving as much notice as you can.

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‘Remember to always come to a clear understanding with not only signallers but also station staff too.’

One source told The Metro: ‘It was a bit of a cock-up. The driver probably thought the staff weren’t going to close all the doors and station staff probably thought it was in a secure state, which means it wouldn’t drive off.’

Bosses at Elizabeth Line operator MTR reported the incident to rail accident safety investigators at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

However, RAIB decided not to take further action and said they would leave further investigation to the railway companies involved.

The Elizabeth Line opened in May 2022 to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
(Picture: Shutterstock/John Gomez)

A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Elizabeth Line trains are designed to safely reverse automatically between Paddington and Westbourne park sidings while out of passenger service.

‘The train should always be staffed, so our operator, MTR Elizabeth Line, reminded all drivers of the high professional standards we set for the railway.’

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the line in May 2022 to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee …read more

Source:: Metro

      

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