Just wanted to share....near heart attack...

[Islineclear3_1]

On Saturday, I was waiting for a train at Mitcham Junction.

A man walking up the opposite platform caught my eye.

He walked to the end of the platform and jumped down on the track. BTW, he had headphones in his ears.

Without looking, he started to cross the line and purposely stepped on the juice rail.

Yes...you did read correctly. As his foot was about to make contact with the juice rail, my heart stopped.

You can imagine what was going through my mind at that moment.

However, he didn't step on just the first juice rail...he purposely stepped on the juice rail of the other line before jumping up onto my platform and cooly walked off to the tram stop.

What can I say...I was in utter shock!

Then 10sec later, my train came around the corner.

Wanted to post this yesterday but too busy...

 

[Chapeltom]

On Saturday, I was waiting for a train at Mitcham Junction.

A man walking up the opposite platform caught my eye.

He walked to the end of the platform and jumped down on the track. BTW, he had headphones in his ears.

Without looking, he started to cross the line and purposely stepped on the juice rail.

Yes...you did read correctly. As his foot was about to make contact with the juice rail, my heart stopped.

You can imagine what was going through my mind at that moment.

However, he didn't step on just the first juice rail...he purposely stepped on the juice rail of the other line before jumping up onto my platform and cooly walked off to the tram stop.

What can I say...I was in utter shock!

Then 10sec later, my train came around the corner.

Wanted to post this yesterday but too busy...

Stepped onto the third rail and walked away nonchalantly? I always thought the 3rd rail could kill?

 

[455driver]

Stepped onto the third rail and walked away nonchalantly? I always thought the 3rd rail could kill?

it can, but it wont always.

 

[bigdelboy]

He could have had good insulators on his feet, and known it. Or he may not have formed a circuit to earth. stepping on an (earthed) regular rail at the same time as the conductor rail might have been a different story.

The two conductor rails would (normally) have been both at about 750v dc.

However his cockiness may possibly be his downfall at some point.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

He did have thick rubber soled trainers on. He knew exactly what rail to step on. And his other foot was raised from the ground and not touching any other rail.

I thought he might have been electrocuted but then birds sit on the juice rail and don't get fried (or a thrill...).

I would have thought CCTV would have picked him up. In hindsight, I should have taken a picture on my phone to send to the authorities but he was bigger than me...and could have been drugged up for all I know.

Some people are just insane...

 

[tsr]

Have you been able to report the date, time and description of the person involved to the BTP?

 

[BestWestern]

If this is genuine you need to make a report to the BTP as soon as you can. The cctv should still be available and can be downloaded. This individual may end up fried or hit by a train,which will cause problems and potential distress for others, as well as the obvious consequences for him.

 

[IanXC]

For times like that when you don't want to make a phone call in public, the BTP can be contacted by text on 61016.

I've found they'll very often reply in near real time.

 

[tsr]

If this is genuine you need to make a report to the BTP as soon as you can. The cctv should still be available and can be downloaded. This individual may end up fried or hit by a train,which will cause problems and potential distress for others, as well as the obvious consequences for him.

Indeed. The other issue is that a member of staff witnessing such an incident (possibly not at Mitcham Junction, but potentially elsewhere) could end up blocking the line and requesting a traction current isolation, even if the individual turns out lucky again. This will be an incredibly worrying occurrence for all staff involved, and it could also result in potentially quite severe disruption. Unfortunately it will usually be instinctive to fear the worst in situations like this, and act on that instinct. I know this from first-hand experience. It's not nice.

 

[Harpers Tate]

He did have thick rubber soled trainers on...his other foot was raised from the ground and not touching any other rail...

Explains fully why no electrical harm came to him. Two factors in play to prevent it. Of course, had he slipped.......

 

[overtonchris]

What a horrible story. I makes you wonder whether this guy had some mental health issues - if so I would suggest he needs help PDQ. If he's just a moronic donought then he needs "re-education".....by the courts.

We had a young lad from my school back in the 60s who "touched" the 3rd Rail in our area and fried himself.....it sadly took him a number of weeks to die of his burns in Odstock Hospital......

I hope you report this incident to the BTP too.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

This was definately genuine BestWestern. I do not make up stories.

Perhaps I should have reported it at the time, but I was too shocked to say the least. I did consider contacting BTP yesterday but the hope of ever finding this chap is probably slim. He was non-white, had large sunglasses on and had his head partly covered. Bit difficult therefore to make a positive description.

But yes, had the guy slipped...this would have turned out very tragic. But I'm sure this is not an isolated case with the ever increasing incidence of mental health issues or "feeling invincible"

 

[IanXC]

Perhaps I should have reported it at the time, but I was too shocked to say the least. I did consider contacting BTP yesterday but the hope of ever finding this chap is probably slim. He was non-white, had large sunglasses on and had his head partly covered. Bit difficult therefore to make a positive description.

But yes, had the guy slipped...this would have turned out very tragic. But I'm sure this is not an isolated case with the ever increasing incidence of mental health issues or "feeling invincible"

It really isn't too late to make the call. There's likely to be CCTV still available, and who is to say the guy hasn't done it before and is already known to BTP, or will become known in future?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

OK, I have made the call and obtained a reference number. Southern tell me the CCTV is kept for 28 days.

 

[razor89]

I've witnessed this happen twice; once as a passenger and more recently while I've been on duty as railway staff. I have to say the feeling is much worse when you have added responsibilities. Simply knowing that if the worst does happen, you can't just walk away, is a big factor for me. Fortunately I haven't been involved with a fatality so far in my career.

 

[Clip]

What a horrible story. I makes you wonder whether this guy had some mental health issues - if so I would suggest he needs help PDQ. If he's just a moronic donought then he needs "re-education".....by the courts.
.

Yes, that would be it. A person you have no idea about, who does what quite often happens down in 3rd rail land, must obviously have mental health issues, or in the words of the OP - may be a druggie.

Because they are the only people who ever cross the track and have stood on the 3rd rail.


Im sure this forum is turning more into the rail version of Mumsnet with the over emotive language being used.

 

[overtonchris]

Yes, that would be it. A person you have no idea about, who does what quite often happens down in 3rd rail land, must obviously have mental health issues, or in the words of the OP - may be a druggie.

Because they are the only people who ever cross the track and have stood on the 3rd rail.


Im sure this forum is turning more into the rail version of Mumsnet with the over emotive language being used.

Where have I said "I know" anything? Nowhere...I would have thought the 'ifs" would have explained that. Unless he was a Railway employee on business he or anyone else should not be doing stuff like that whether it is "common practice" in third rail land or not.

Can't quite understand your bile. Bad day? Sorry...an unforgivable assumption.