Another mobility scooter incident

[bladesman123]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-16833983

Train hits mobility scooter woman at Barnsley station

A woman is believed to have escaped with minor injuries after her mobility scooter fell on to a railway track and was hit by a train.
The incident happened at about 14:30 GMT at Barnsley railway station in South Yorkshire.
British Transport Police said although the full extent of her injuries is not known, it is thought she escaped with minor injuries and shock.
The woman was freed by the fire service and airlifted to hospital.

 

[Nym]

Why was she on the tracks then? Can't help but get the feeling there is only one person at fault here and the sooner these unlicenced dangerous vehicles are banned the better.

If I started riding one of these in the same way as an old person, I'd have points on my licence... The same as motorised scooters are banned without a V5C, Tax Disc, MOT, etc.

 

[NSEFAN]

What on earth is up with the general public this week? People seem to be getting more irresponsible by the minute.

 

[Badger]

I agree with Nym on how dangerous these vehicles are. I do not understand why they are allowed to be used. The speed and carelessness with which they are driven leaves me speechless, not to mention they just blast straight into you as if they have right of way. Too many arrogant users.

However, it's a little early to be making such assumptions here I think, especially given the article says "fell onto the tracks". We don't know why or how this happened.

 

[dieselbashdave]

I met a nutter on one of these things when shopping - if I drove my car like that I'd expect to be dead in a week or in jail for murder on numerous counts.

 

[Geezertronic]

Of course it's the fault of the railway for allowing the person to ride her scooter off the platform. Now if there were barriers up to prevent that, there wouldn't be a problem, you'd struggle to get on and off the train unless massive sums of money were spent on a system like the Jubilee line in London has

 

[Ferret]

What on earth is up with the general public this week? People seem to be getting more irresponsible by the minute.

Unbelievable isn't it? Of course, the railway could enforce a ban on mobility scooters, saying that only wheelchairs are permitted, but I can just imagine the howls of protest from certain pressure groups. Never mind the poor driver who probably at the least requires a change of underpants, or more probably, a lengthy period of counselling

Now, for the umpteenth time I've said this (maybe not one here) - motorised scooters are unsuitable for railways! Grrrr!

 

[anthony263]

I would most certainly support a ban on motorised scooters being used on teh railway, the majority who use them are bloody terrible and then they have the nerve to have a go at you when its their fault.

We even have 1 in Porthcawl where the owner has kitted it up with a stereo etc so at least we can hear him coming, I have even seen him play hell with 1 bus driver who would not let him take in on the bus (No offence but I doubt any bus driver would even let him attempt to get it onto the bus, there just isnt any room for them to manover)

 

[transmanche]

Unbelievable isn't it? Of course, the railway could enforce a ban on mobility scooters, saying that only wheelchairs are permitted, but I can just imagine the howls of protest from certain pressure groups.

After a few of incidents, they've been banned on the T&W Metro - a ban which was recently confirmed following a review.

 

[CosherB]

Now if there were barriers up to prevent that, there wouldn't be a problem, you'd struggle to get on and off the train unless massive sums of money were spent on a system like the Jubilee line in London has

I read on a DVD sleeve note recently that the PEDS (Platform Edge Doors) on the Jubilee were fitted not for safety reasons, but to reduce costs. Unfortunately it didn't explain how they do this! Anyone got the DVD and therefore knows the answer?

 

[Max]

I'm slightly suspicious of this article, having worked at Barnsley Interchange a couple of times I do not recognise the buildings in the background at all. Doesn't look like Barnsley station to me.

 

[ushawk]

PEDs on the Jubilee line were fitted because of something to do with airflow i believe. Wouldnt work on normal train stations as trains arent all the same length and generally dont stop at the exact same place - and then theres the cost and operation of them.

 

[142094]

After a few of incidents, they've been banned on the T&W Metro - a ban which was recently confirmed following a review.

After seeing the damage caused it was the best thing.

Note, you can still use electric wheelchairs, but these go at a much reduced speed compared to the mobility scooters, and are generally much smaller as well.

 

[michael769]

I'm slightly suspicious of this article, having worked at Barnsley Interchange a couple of times I do not recognise the buildings in the background at all. Doesn't look like Barnsley station to me.

This building has been demolished. The houses are these ones from the road behind the building which are now visible from the station.

 

[tsr]

I can see why people who are elderly or in some way unable to walk far (or very much at all) who do not want to drive a large car (which, to be fair, would likely be more dangerous) would opt for the use of a mobility scooter for short journeys. Providing they are competent, that is fine. Safeguards and stricter regulated requirements should definitely be introduced - scooter drivers should be licensed and insured, as well as checked regularly for defects, etc. - in my opinion.

I do not see why the user in this case or any other would be attempting to take one within a few feet of the edge of the platform if the train has not stopped. We cannot completely discount mechanical failure, but I can well imagine that this incident would have been caused by driver error. How come you can take these things onto most station platforms, even though you quite rightly cannot ride your bike? I really think these scooters shouldn't be allowed on pavements or in other pedestrianised areas. When I ride a bike in a public place, as I frequently do, I expect to be riding either on the roads I am permitted to use, cycle paths, shared use paths, byways open to all traffic or bridleways. A mobility scooter should have the same restrictions applied - maybe stricter ones, since they are frankly clumsier and heavier.

Of course, this must have been the station operator's fault because the announcement said "Stand behind the yellow line", not "Don't ride your machinery over the yellow line". :roll:

 

[Anvil1984]

Im just wondering anut the type of mobility scooter etc as Northern dont allow unfolded / unfoldable Mobility Scooters on theor services (i know that is a side issue at present)

 

[voyagerweb]

In barnsley and a scooter and a segway on the same pedestrianised area they send the segway driver to court not the scooter how on earth is this right

 

[Max]

This building has been demolished. The houses are these ones from the road behind the building which are now visible from the station.

Thanks for that. I thought I recognised the road but the buildings threw me totally. I shall look out for them next time I'm there!

 

[ji459]

However, it's a little early to be making such assumptions here I think, especially given the article says "fell onto the tracks". We don't know why or how this happened.

Very true, especially as "fell" is unlikely to be an accurate description of what happened. Probably the only way scooter could have fallen onto the tracks was if the platform had collapsed! It's more likely that the scooter was driven onto the tracks.

 

[OuterDistant]

In barnsley and a scooter and a segway on the same pedestrianised area they send the segway driver to court not the scooter how on earth is this right

Presumably, they recognise a scooter as a means of transport for someone with a disability, but still see the Segway as a "toy".

 

[142094]

But you don't have to have a disability to have a mobility scooter.

 

[OuterDistant]

No, and therein lies the problem with their mindset!

 

[trentside]

Living in a village with a number of old people's homes means I see quite a lot of mobility scooters - many of which are often driven irresponsibly and inconsiderately. The reasons for this are no doubt many and varied. I've even seen them used to hurry over the railway crossing when the lights flash.

Obviously, regardless of the circumstances, I hope everyone involved in this incident makes a swift recovery.

 

[Ferret]

But you don't have to have a disability to have a mobility scooter.

And don't we know it. I've seen someone with a mobility scooter 'do a Little Britain' when confronted by plod for smoking on the train. FFS.

 

[jon0844]

There must be more than one home near Welwyn Garden City, as the local roads are full of these things. I am not exaggerating, as there's often 4 or 5 going along the same bit of road at the same time - not next to each other, but still going the same way. They're either racing, or let out at the same time.

Nevertheless, people talk about dangerous drivers - but clearly the motorists (and buses) must be driving like angels to prevent anything nasty happening to these people. It may be a local road, but it's still a bus route and has enough traffic (and parked cars to obscure a clear vision ahead) to make it lethal having these going along in the middle of the road at 5mph!

 

[185]

Clearly a problem with the artificial gravity in Barnsley Station.


Dec 2011:
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57500000/jpg/_57500239_jex_367_de79.jpg

 

[142094]

Clearly a problem with the artificial gravity in Barnsley Station.


Dec 2011:
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57500000/jpg/_57500239_jex_367_de79.jpg

Or just a problem with Barnsley in particular (i.e. those who live there).

A few years back I was on a Leeds - Sheffield stopper, a lad got on at Barnsley then proceeded to make a drug deal using one of his three mobile phones. He had a wad of £50 notes tucked into his sock. I don't think I've ever seen anything so blatant in my life.

 

[Oswyntail]

Thanks for that. I thought I recognised the road but the buildings threw me totally. I shall look out for them next time I'm there!

Yes, that would be the high point of things to look out for at Barnsley
I agree that these things should be licensed and regulated as road vehicles. People may recall the man in the electric wheelchair who would regularly turn up at Leeds for a rush-hour train to Ilkley just as the doors were about to close and demand to be let on just like able-bodied passengers (and expect to be found room on a rammed service). He used to drive his little chariot along the middle of the road through the town on his way to the station in the morning, and woe betide anyone who complained.

 

[Jonny]

Unbelievable isn't it? Of course, the railway could enforce a ban on mobility scooters, saying that only wheelchairs are permitted, but I can just imagine the howls of protest from certain pressure groups. Never mind the poor driver who probably at the least requires a change of underpants, or more probably, a lengthy period of counselling

Now, for the umpteenth time I've said this (maybe not one here) - motorised scooters are unsuitable for railways! Grrrr!

If that wasn't enough, the Disability Discrimination Act doesn't over-ride Health and Safety regulations - so safety still comes first and there is no legal comeback for aggrieved scooter users if the scooters get banned. If it's that bad then they can use a wheelchair, which brings me onto my next point, where I let you in on a dirty little secret...

Not only can anyone get one, but if you are going to get on one you still need to be able to walk to get on it

 

[brompton rail]

If that wasn't enough, the Disability Discrimination Act doesn't over-ride Health and Safety regulations - so safety still comes first and there is no legal comeback for aggrieved scooter users if the scooters get banned. If it's that bad then they can use a wheelchair, which brings me onto my next point, where I let you in on a dirty little secret...

Not only can anyone get one, but if you are going to get on one you still need to be able to walk to get on it

Northern's FAQs on their website, and, I seem to recall, printed in their timetables (Yes - just checked):-

Can I take my mobility scooter on the train?
For safety reasons we can't take any mobility scooters on our trains unless they can be folded down before you board and carried on like luggage.