Transport for London has been urged by a coroner to do more to reduce the risk of intoxicated passengers dying on the Tube after the accidental death of a brilliant young artist.
Sarah Cunningham, 31, was killed by a Northern line Night Tube train on November 2 last year after jumping onto the track and walking into the Tube tunnel.
She had taken a cocktail of drugs and alcohol on a night out in Camden Town and became “terribly, terribly intoxicated” and “didn’t know what she was doing”, coroner Mary Hassell said at an inquest into Ms Cunningham’s death on April 9.
Ms Hassell has now sent TfL a prevention of future deaths report, saying she believed the risk that intoxicated passengers posed to themselves when using the Underground was “not necessarily at the forefront of TfL corporate thinking”.
The report said: “Ms Cunningham jumped down onto the northbound track at Chalk Farm London Underground Station at approximately 3.30am on Saturday, 2 November 2024 and walked into the tunnel. She was killed by a train 18 minutes later.
“Although she jumped down onto the track rather than falling, she did not form the intention to take her own life.
“She jumped onto the track because she was intoxicated by a combination of alcohol, cocaine and ketamine, and was only a sporadic user of drugs on a recreational basis.”
She added: “Clearly, individuals have responsibility for their own drinking and/or drug taking and the consequences thereof.
“However, public transport is encouraged for many good reasons. Not least, it is a matter of public policy that those who are or may become intoxicated should make travel plans that do not involve being in charge of a vehicle. The London Underground is an obvious alternative.
“Realistically, some London Underground passengers will be intoxicated, and that has to inform TfL’s corporate planning.
“I heard that there was a TfL investigation following Sarah Cunningham’s death, but the learning from that appears at present to be somewhat aspirational, without a concrete plan.”
Thomas Jervis, a solicitor from Leigh Day, who represents the Cunningham family, said: "Sarah’s family believe her case is one in a long line of others shining a light on TfL’s approach to public safety.
“They welcome the senior coroner’s prevention of future deaths report and sincerely hope that TfL use it as a real opportunity to make meaningful changes so that individuals are safe on the transport network.
"Sarah's family believe TfL need to reflect on what happened to Sarah and the senior coroner's PFD report to stand any chance of fulfilling their commitment to Vision Zero, where all deaths and serious injuries are to be eliminated from the transport network."
The inquest heard that a member of station staff spotted Ms Cunningham on CCTV acting in an “upset” manner on the platform and went to investigate.
By the time he had arrived two to three minutes later, she was not to be seen. He presumed she had boarded a northbound train.
In fact, she jumped onto the track after the train departed and walked south about 75m into the northbound tunnel.
She was believed to have been killed by the next northbound train that arrived at the station 18 minutes later.
Keith Morton, a barrister representing TfL, told the inquest at Poplar coroner’s court that there had been an opportunity of “less than 20 seconds” for station staff to have spotted Ms Cunningham step down from the platform and enter the tunnel - had they been watching the correct CCTV images at the time.
The body of Ms Cunningham, who had been reported missing to police, was not found for two days.
Her family believe there were “multiple chances” for TfL staff to have intervened.
CCTV footage showed her in the station ticket hall for several minutes, unable to find her Oyster card or bank card to enable her to pass through the barriers.
She was only able to reach the platforms after another passenger, apparently trying to assist as he exited the station, used his ticket to open the barriers for her.
She spent 12 minutes waiting on platforms and lying on a bench. She tried to catch the northbound train but its doors closed before she could board. She then entered the tunnel after it left the station.
TfL said it would consider the recommendations made by the coroner and respond to them in due course, and had already made changes following an internal investigation.
Claire Mann, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Sarah Cunningham.
“We are supporting the coroner in relation to the inquest into this incident and we have carried out our own internal investigation, which we have shared with the coroner.
“We recognise the important role our staff play in protecting customers from harm and we will always take action to learn from incidents and improve operational safety.”
