Kingdon St Death Inquiry Out

 

Remember the case of the old guy who died when he alighted off a train at the old Newmarket West station in Kingdon St?
The results of an inquiry into the death have finally been released.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission finds no conclusive reason for why the passenger veered into the side of the train after getting off , but it was likely related to his impaired vision or, distraction, or a combination of both.

No practicable safety recommendations were identified that would prevent this type of accident happening again, but the report notes that the trend towards an ageing population with a likely increase in mobility-impaired people travelling on public transport will require designers of transport systems to remain vigilant to this trend.

Newmarket West

On July 1 2009, an elderly male passenger who was vision-impaired had just alighted from passenger Train 8125 on the Down platform at Newmarket West station. He was walking along the platform as the train left and he veered into the side of the moving train, spun around and fell through the gap between the train and the platform edge onto the track below. The passenger was fatally injured.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Commission) determined that the passenger exchange at Newmarket West station had been made in average time and in accordance with the operating company?s procedures, and that it had been appropriate for the train to move away from the platform when it did.
The design of the platform met the New Zealand and international guidelines for assisting vision-impaired and blind persons.

Newmarket West before it was demolished

Newmarket West station was a temporary constructed station pending the build of a new station at Newmarket, and consequently part of the Down platform was constructed on a curved section of track, which meant the gap between the train and the platform edge was wide enough for the passenger to fall through when he walked into the side of the train.
The Commission determined that the gap was as small as practicably achievable within the physical constraints of the station, and that warning signage and operating procedures were reasonable defences against this type of accident occurring.
No practicable safety recommendations were identified that would prevent this type of accident happening again, but the report notes that the trend towards an ageing population with a likely increase in mobility-impaired people travelling on public transport will require designers of transport systems to remain vigilant to this trend.

Newmarket West demolished

The 2 platforms (including an adjacent up platform) at Newmarket West station were demolished during the 2009/2010 Christmas/New Year holiday period concurrent with the opening of the redeveloped Newmarket station - against opposition from then ARC chief Mike Lee.

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