A London Overground driver was distracted by his phone when a train departed Norwood Junction station with a disability ramp still attached, a Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) probe has found.
Incident at Norwood Junction
Shortly after 9.50am on July 1 last year, a station worker was forced to jump out of the way after the ramp was dragged down the platform. It eventually smashed into the station barrier and fell beside the track.
The driver was operating a Windrush line train travelling northbound to Highbury and Islington. He was unaware the ramp was still attached until informed by a signaller while passing between Honor Oak Park and Brockley, the RAIB found.
Driver's Phone Distraction
The RAIB found the driver's personal phone was switched on during the shift, with five phone calls of lengths between 33 seconds and 25 minutes made or received. Investigators determined these calls were used to deal with personal issues of a distressing nature.
Moments before departure, a station worker had attached the access ramp to the train while a passenger in a mobility scooter was waiting to board. While he tested the ramp, the doors suddenly shut as the driver prepared to leave. CCTV images show the worker attempting to alert the driver before the train departed.
Missed Signals and Outdated Equipment
The driver's in-cab monitor had cropped images, preventing him from seeing the station worker's baton being waved. The probe also found an outdated ramp was being used, allowing the doors to shut without hindrance.
A station worker whistled to warn passengers about the danger. A passenger on a bench moved their feet away from the ramp's path. The worker had to avoid the moving train.
Previous Incidents
The driver had been involved in two incidents in the year before the accident possibly caused by distraction. In July 2024, he passed a signal at danger after missing a danger signal on his monitor, prompting an automatic emergency stop. Investigators found he was distracted by a water bottle he was struggling to open. In May 2025, he lost concentration during a station stop and failed to slow the train sufficiently.
Aftermath and Recommendations
After being informed, the driver was told to proceed to New Cross Gate, where passengers disembarked and the train was taken out of service. Platform one at Norwood Junction was shut for 25 minutes while Network Rail workers retrieved the ramp.
The RAIB made several recommendations to avoid similar incidents, including reminding drivers about the dangers of having mobile phones switched on, and advising First Rail London (which now runs the London Overground after taking over from Arriva Rail London in May 2026) to better manage its disability and access ramps.
