Preventing suicide on the railways

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

It is certainly not a problem that seems to be in decline. We have recently been away by rail. On our outbound journey on Thursday 14 September, our second train of the day was an Avanti GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) service out of Birmingham New Street. Near Sandwell and Dudley station, the train shuddered to a halt. A clearly shaken TM^‡(resolve) told us a few minutes later that a man had jumped of a bridge in front of the train. Incredibly, the train only clipped him, and he wasn't seriously hurt. The driver could not continue though, and the train terminated in Wolverhampton. We eventually continued on a diesel service for many miles under wires. 

This morning, as we boarded the connecting train to Manchester, I saw that our train to Bristol had been cancelled. After making hurried adjustments to our itinerary using RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website), I found that cancellation was also caused by a person hit by train.

[Electric train]

This morning, as we boarded the connecting train to Manchester, I saw that our train to Bristol had been cancelled. After making hurried adjustments to our itinerary using RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website), I found that cancellation was also caused by a person hit by train.

"Person hit by a train" does not mean it was a suicide, trespassers are often the case of a person struck by a train, occasionally trackworkers get struck by a train

[TonyK]

"Person hit by a train" does not mean it was a suicide, trespassers are often the case of a person struck by a train, occasionally trackworkers get struck by a train

Fair point. In the first case, the intention was apparently suicide, and hopefully the person concerned will receive whatever treatment is appropriate to stop another attempt. In the second case, I don't know the reason, nor was I able to find where it happened.

[GBM]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Plymouth via Taunton
Following the emergency services dealing with an incident at Reading West some lines have now reopened. Disruption is expected until 13:00 09/03.
Train services between London Paddington and Plymouth via Taunton and Exeter St Davids may be cancelled or delayed.
Additional Information
Apologies to customers, owing to a person being hit by a train at Reading West services are being disrupted.

The line from Newbury and the line from Basingstoke TOWARDS Reading has been re-opened.
The line from Reading towards Newbury and Basingstoke remains CLOSED.
Reading West station will remain closed with no services calling at the station in either direction.

[GBM]

1C74 0903 London Paddington to Plymouth
Just reversed back into Reading.

Thoughts with all those involved.