Trespass and suicide
The rail industry needs to work collaboratively to reduce trespass and suicide on the railway
The railway recognises the duty of care it owes to all who enter its boundary. It is aware of the impact of trespass and suicide events on the people who are killed or injured and their loved ones. Also, on the safety, health, and wellbeing of staff and passengers.
In 2023/24, there were ten people killed while trespassing on the railway. This included five struck by trains. Another five were killed by electrocution. While too many people still die while trespassing on the railway, this represents a reduction in trespass when compared to 20 fatalities due to trespass in 2019/20. This contrasts with reported incidents of trespass. These have increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic (see figure 10).
The Trespass and Suicide Prevention Strategy Group (TreSP SG) continues to provide strategic oversight of the industry’s collaborative approach to trespass and suicide prevention.
Another focus of 2023/24 has been an increase in the number of uncontrolled evacuations due to high-profile incidents. In December 2023, for example, a dewirement resulted in several Elizabeth Line trains becoming stranded at Ladbroke Grove for more than three hours. Some passengers self-evacuated. They put themselves at risk of hazards such as electric shock and being struck by trains. RSSB analysis shows that there has been an increase in the number of reported uncontrolled evacuation events over the past five years. It is now more than double the number than before the Covid-19 pandemic (see figure 11).
It is difficult to identify the causes of the increase in public behaviour events like trespass and uncontrolled evacuation in recent years. It may reflect wider societal changes. But the railway also needs to be better at managing incidents that may result in uncontrolled evacuations. We need to better balance the safety risk of passengers evacuating against the health and wellbeing of passengers on stranded trains.
There were 274 suicides and suspected suicides on the railway in 2023/24. The most in four years. Provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in 2023 there was a statistically significant increase in the rate suicides deaths in England compared to 2022, 2021, and 20202. Rail suicides remain around 4% of the national rate. There is a balance to be struck in education about the dangers of the railway to trespassers, while not highlighting the railway to those who are vulnerable.
2 Quarterly suicide death registrations in England - Office for National Statistics
In 2023/24 CIRAS received a report on footbridge safety, where trespass could result in electrocution.
The report highlighted that a gap in the steps of a station footbridge could allow someone to push an object through the gap. That object could make contact with the overhead line equipment below.
The infrastructure manager responded to concern. They scheduled an inspection and reinstated missing risers within seven days. Long term, a bridge refurbishment will remove the issue.
