Monday 31 Jul 2017
Safety warning issued as frightening CCTV shows holidaymakers taking a tumble at Leeds station
- Region & Route:
- | Eastern
Holidaymakers are being urged not to struggle with heavy luggage ahead of the great British getaway after CCTV shows passengers falling down escalators and injuring themselves.
The shocking footage was captured at Leeds station and has been released to warn travellers of the dangers of taking luggage on escalators and to encourage them to use the lifts provided.
Last year at Leeds station, there were 28 accidents where members of the public were injured due to struggling with luggage; an increase of over 25% on the previous year. In addition, 12 of these incidents required first aid.
To help tackle the problem, on Monday, 31 July Network Rail will launch a temporary photo booth in the lift on platform 6/8 to encourage passengers to use the lift and raise awareness of the dangers of not doing so. Travellers will be able to start their journey in style by snapping their first holiday selfie in the lift.
Vinny Burke, Leeds station manager for Network Rail, said: “We know that lots of people will be using Leeds station to start their holiday and we want everyone who passes through our station to get off to a good start.
“Time and time again, we see passengers taking multiple items of luggage on the escalators rather than using the lifts which are provided. The lifts are there to keep you safe and stop you having an accident, as seen in the CCTV.
“Some of the falls are incredibly nasty and all of them are completely preventable. We hate to see members of the public injured and we have had cases where people have had to cancel their journeys due to the injuries they have received. We are urging passengers to allow extra time for their journey and to use the lifts provided.”
The campaign is also being supported by TransPennine Express, who run services between Leeds station and Manchester Airport which lots of people will be using for their summer getaway.
Alison Murray, Head of On Board Services, East, for TransPennine Express said: “This is an exciting time of year for lots of people as they head off on their summer holidays, with many using our train services to travel between Leeds and Manchester Airport.
“I would urge customers with luggage to use the lifts provided and not to struggle with heavy items on the escalators or stairs.”
ENDS
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