Massive Fine For Train Operator Following Wandsworth Common Train Death
Govia Thameslink ordered to pay £1 million
Govia Thameslink has been fined £1 million following the death three years ago of a passenger who put his head out of a carriage window.
24-year-old train buff Simon Brown of East Grinstead was on the Gatwick Express as it was travelling through Wandsworth Common station on August 7th 2016 when he suffered fatal injuries. Southward Crown Court this week heard how Mrs Brown's head hit a signal gantry as the train travelled at over 60 miles per hour.
Govia Thameslink had earlier pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach because a sign warning passengers not to lean out of 'droplight' windows was not displayed clearly enough, and was ordered to pay the £1 million fine as well as over £52,000 in costs.
Judge Jeffrey Pegden said, "The signage around the windows was confusing." He added that, "This was a tragic corpotae blindspot in what is otherwise a well-run organisation."
Govia Thameslink has since withdrawn all of the trains with 'droplight' windows from service across its network.
July 18, 2019