A pram was hit by a train – leaving the tot in side nursing a head injury after the stroller spun round and tipped over in front of shocked commuters.
The youngster’s parent let go of the pram to collect a suitcase, causing it to roll towards the end of the platform, towards the tracks, where it was struck by the train.
The train was still travelling at 35-miles-per-hour as it pulled into the station, and the parent realised what was happening and desperately tried to regain control of the buggy.
But it was too late and the train struck the pram, with the two-month-old baby inside, sending the buggy flying and the baby onto the platform, where it suffered a head injury.
The Mirror reports the shocking incident happened at Banbury Station, in Oxfordshire, in June, and was featured in a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
The document, released today, reads: “The accident occurred because the pram, which had been momentarily released by the infant’s parent, rolled along the platform slope, which sloped towards the platform edge at that location.
“Around 15 seconds before the accident, the infant’s parent started to move the pram closer to the platform edge, intending to board the train.
“The infant’s parent then leant away from the pram to place one hand on their wheeled luggage and turned to face their relative, momentarily letting go of the pram. With the parent still facing away from the pram, it began to move towards the platform edge.
“Around three seconds before the accident, the front of the train passed the position where the pram was located, and the pram continued to roll towards the platform edge.
“Around one second before the accident, the relative tried to intervene but the pram contacted the train’s bodyside. This contact occurred while the train was moving at an estimated 35 mph (56 km/h).”
The report adds that “caused the pram to spin and tip over, resulting in the infant falling from the pram onto the platform surface. The infant sustained a minor head injury as a result.”
The report revealed there were signs warning people to apply brakes on the platform. However, they were “less likely to alert pram users to the hazard” as they did not comply with safety regulations.
Before the train arrived, an announcement went out over the annoy as the parent was on the platform which warned of the possible dangers.
It said: “Passengers are reminded to keep hold of all personal belongings at all times and ensure that prams, buggies and wheelchairs have their brakes applied while stationary on station platforms as fast trains could cause wind turbulence when passing through.”
Since the incident, Chiltern Railways installed signage in the customer lifts at Banbury station. A review on signage on the platform surface was also undertaken.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.