A passenger suffered serious injuries after falling down the stairs on the Thames Travel bus service from Didcot to Oxford on Saturday, February 1. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. as the bus was reaching the junction of Speedwell Street and St Aldates, Oxford. According to Thames Valley Police, the man, who is in his 60s, was taken to the hospital, where he currently remains.
A spokesperson from Thames Travel provided additional details, stating, "Saturday's incident occurred when a passenger unfortunately slipped on the stairway to alight the vehicle, which was maneuvering around a corner at the time, traveling at less than 10 mph. We assisted the emergency services with their inquiries and send the passenger our best wishes." Despite this recent incident, the bus company insisted such accidents are incredibly rare. They emphasized their commitment to safety, noting their drivers undergo rigorous training programs and refresher courses.
The spokesperson remarked, "We’d like to assure people incidents of this nature are incredibly rare and would remind passengers to take care when boarding or alighting vehicles. We take safety extremely seriously, and we’re proud of our exceptional safety record across Oxford Bus Group." This assertion, though, meets mixed reactions from bus users. Some expressed their surprise there aren't more incidents like this one.
Online comments reflect the sentiments of passengers, with one remarking, "Some of the drivers do not wait for people to get seated," and another adding, "The number of times I have been halfway up the stairs when the driver moves off causing the bus to jerk." These testimonies raise concerns about the safety protocols already at play, underscoring the need for driver caution when passengers are transitioning from sitting to standing positions.
Adding to the somber tone surrounding the event is the remembrance of another tragic incident last October. A 37-year-old man fell down the stairs on a bus near the Westgate shopping centre. Sadly, he sustained serious injuries and passed away five days later. Police classified his death as unexplained, albeit not suspicious.
The Oxford community is now left with eyes on the police as they treat the latest incident as a collision, urging any witnesses to step forward. Thames Valley Police have requested anyone who witnessed the fall to contact them via phone at 101 or submit an online report, quoting crime reference number 43250052861.
Safety on public transport remains at the forefront of the discussion, especially with the rising concerns voiced by local residents. Thames Travel is striving to maintain safety measures, but incidents like these cause apprehension among passengers who ride the bus daily.
Passengers are reminded of the importance of being aware and cautious when using public transport. The bus company continues to advocate for safety, training their drivers extensively and assuring riders of their commitment to protect all who travel on their services. Nevertheless, the fears and concerns raised by riders highlight the need for more stringent safety measures and the need to reinforce existing procedures actively.
While accidents like these are statistically infrequent, their impact is undeniably significant. Riders are left questioning whether current measures are sufficient and whether additional strategies can be employed to prevent future incidents.