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Thursday 14 Dec 2017

Manchester festive revellers urged to “keep a clear head” on the railway

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Festive train travellers were today urged to “keep a clear head” as a shocking video emerged of a seemingly drunk man falling off a Manchester station platform on to the tracks.

The hair-raising CCTV clip from Manchester Piccadilly railway station shows the man veer towards the platform edge before toppling off.

 

Fortunately no trains were moving at that moment and the man was not seriously hurt. But things could have turned out very differently.

A rise nationally in drink-related incidents like this, particularly around Christmas, today prompted Network Rail, British Transport Police (BTP) and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to urge people to “keep a clear head” on and around the railway.

Scott Green, Manchester Piccadilly station manager at Network Rail, said: “Enjoy yourself this Christmas but don’t let alcohol stop you or your fellow passengers from getting to where you need to be. Keep a clear head.”

Over the past five years there have been 77 alcohol-related incidents at Manchester Piccadilly station that have caused significant delays to trains.

Of the 7,419 alcohol-related incidents recorded nationally on or around the railway in 2016/17, 16% took place over the festive period, between 24 November 2016 and 2 January 2017. Twenty-one people have been killed in alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge and 91 seriously injured in the last 10 years. Passengers boarding and alighting trains were involved in 469 alcohol-related accidents in the last five years.^.

Tom Lee, Director of Standards at RSSB, said: “Travelling by train is very safe and we want everyone to have a harmless and punctual journey whilst enjoying the festive season.  However, with around 469 alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge over the past five years, passengers and level crossing users are reminded to take care so that they get to and from their destination safely.”

Chief Inspector John Loveless, of BTP, added: “During the festive season we see a rise in public order offences and antisocial behaviour. Much of this is down to the people involved drinking too much. If you’re using the railway to get around this Christmas, please, keep a clear head.”