Forum Topic

Turnham Green Tube

Does anyone know what exactly happened this morning to shut down Turnham Green tube and bring multiple ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars to the station? `I asked a police officer and he said there was someone "under the train" - I normally assume jumper but this was a big production.

Annie Fitzsimmons ● 6d19 Comments

This is so terribly sad. RIP to the deceased and condolences to any family or friends 🙏 💐

Georgina Flint ● 3d

Jeremy - I'm afraid 11 (which isn't to be sniffed at in itself) is way short of the actual number.TfL has a department that deals with suicides and they've commissioned (and continue to) significant research into the subject. It also works with mental health organisations and trains staff to look out for those who might be planning to take their lives (their number of 'saves' is remarkably high).People choose Turnham Green because it's 'recommended' on several dark web and suicide sites. Mile End is another 'favourite'. Few of those who die (or are maimed) there are local to the areas.Slowing down the line in one section will do little more than delay the timetable and push the problem elsewhere. The real answer is investing in those who have mental health issues. Currently, you can wait months for an NHS psychiatrist appointment.

Mike Smith ● 3d

While it is difficult to get exact numbers, an AI enabled search suggests that conservatively around eleven people have died at this station over the last three decades.While there is a cold logic to the argument that trying to do something about this would just cause these fatalities to happen somewhere else, this is probably worth verifying. People may have chosen Turnham Green due to familiarity with the station and the idea could have implanted itself by seeing the trains speed through.Until we know for sure, the idea of a speed restriction is a good one and I can't see any downside if, as suggested, the controller has the authority to suspend if there is congestion on the line.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 3d

Surely it is common sense to send all available units to an incident like this on a quiet Sunday morning just in case they are needed. The alternative is to leave some at the station. If another emergency call comes in they are up and ready to go.

Francis Rowe ● 4d

Antonio, you are correct; something is fundamentally very wrong here, but it's your lack of understanding about the mental health crisis.

Mike Smith ● 4d

>All this for a one person incident?One person? A hard stop on a tube train could injure hundreds of people.Also, a 999 call for an emergency on a tube line? Just send a couple of police? Really?

Paul James ● 4d

We were around the area and we saw something like 3 fire trucks, 5 ambulances, 10 if not more police cars, plus the helicopter. I am obviously sad for the person that died, but really? All this for a one person incident? Something is fundamentally very wrong here.

Antonio Nardi ● 4d

Why does it need to be platform doors or a full stop rather than a speed limit? 15mph through the station would put an end to this and not have too big an impact on the timetable. If it was found it was creating problems, controllers could selectively waive the speed limit but this isn't something you would ever need to do on a Sunday morning.

Mark Evans ● 4d

You are 100% correct. But you'd simply move the problem up/down the line (or to a high building or bridge). Infrastructure isn't the problem here.

Mike Smith ● 5d

I almost hate to say it, especially given the sad circumstances, but if the Piccadilly Line were to stop at Turnham Green full time, there would be less of a risk of this happening. Yes, I know it's more a Turnham Dream than possible reality, and why this can't happen, before I spark another major debate, but just saying...

Richard Evans ● 5d

I don't think TfL pretends there isn't an issue at Turnham Green (or other fast running/non-stopping stations). There are several stations dotted around the network that are touted on the dark web as 'good places to kill yourself'. The only way to stop this at TG would be (ridiculously expensive) platform doors. But all this will do is move the problem elsewhere on the network.

Mike Smith ● 5d

Sadly what Mike told us has now been officially confirmed - see front page.While I can see why there might be some caution being exercised about reporting on this matter - I totted up five passenger incidents (mainly fatalities) at Turnham Green over the last couple of years. It isn't really credible to pretend the station doesn't have a particular problem.

Mark Evans ● 5d

No positive news. Life pronounced extinct on scene.

Mike Smith ● 5d

Very sad - I pray for any bit of positive news.

Ron Mushiso ● 6d

That makes more sense - it was totally crazy how many were in attendance. And the people on the Piccadilly line also stopped before TG were actually in the train for at least an hour, not allowed to get off.

Annie Fitzsimmons ● 6d

Given the numbers in attendance, I can only presume that the first call or calls may have reported the person as being pushed onto the track rather than self-inflicted, which makes it more of a murder scene at the first point of call, but later identified as a possible suicide and no other person involved.

Julian Pavey ● 6d

Local stations have a relatively high rate of one unders because of the fast tracks. I  don't know why so many resources were required in this instance though. I presume there is a requirement at some level that triggers a large response.

Charlotte Kasner ● 6d

Suicide. Either attempted or 'successful'. The response depends on a number of factors and, one assumes, the helicopter meant the injured wasn't necessary dead or alive. Of course, Sundays - especially during the weekend peak of 11:00 - this side of Christmas are already busy, so there's lots of people to get off trains (between stations and at Turnham Green itself). I did wonder when I heard the helicopter and saw the TfL website what made the person choose today. It's very sad. One way or another, a massive impact on lots of lives following that decision.

Mike Smith ● 6d

I was nearly mown down head-on while cycling W along Chiswick High Road by two police cars doing about 50mph down the wrong (E-going) side of the road!

John Armstrong ● 6d