Sarah de Lagarde is taking London Underground Ltd to court for breach of duty when in September 2022 she slipped on a platform, leaving her with physical and psychological damage
A mum-of-two miraculously survived being hit by two Tube trains on the London Underground after she slipped at a station, but says there’s one thing that breaks her heart the most.
Sarah de Lagarde was commuting home from work at the High Barnet stop in north London in September 2022 when she fell down the gap between the train and platform. She was then twice hit by separate trains before being rushed to hospital to have an arm and leg amputated. The 47-year-old now uses two prosthetic limbs and is bringing a legal claim against London Underground Ltd (LUL), which is part of Transport for London (TfL), for a breach of duty. Speaking of her ordeal, she said the one thing that breaks her heart the most is the fact she lost her “ability to hug my two young children with both arms.”
The first hearing in the case was held at the Royal Courts of Justice today (June 25). Sarah hailed it a “significant milestone” in her “journey towards justice”, with LUL defending the claim. Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice following the hearing, she described the harrowing incident and the resulting impact it has had on her life.
“I was commuting home from work. I fell through the gap. I was run over and crushed by not one, but two London underground trains on the Northern Line. Miraculously, I survived, but it cost me dearly – the first train took my arm, and the second train took my leg,” she said.
The most heartbreaking effect of her amputations, however, is Sarah’s inability to hug her children like she did before the incident. She explained: “That night I also lost my mobility, my independence, my dignity and, above all, my ability to hug my two young children with both arms.
“Today, I stand before you not just as a survivor, but as a voice for change. This afternoon’s court hearing marks a significant milestone in my journey towards justice against Transport for London, and I am optimistic.”
She added: “As we prepare for the full trial, I am not just fighting for justice for myself but for a safer, more accountable transport network for all.” At the preliminary hearing in London, Judge Roger Eastman said an eight-week trial would likely take place at the beginning of 2027, with a further hearing due to take place in September this year.
He also said: “I appreciate this is a very high value claim, potentially, and very serious claim.” James MacDonald, representing Mrs De Lagarde, told the court the case was “not an ordinary personal injury case”.
In written submissions, he said the issues the trial judge will have to decide include whether LUL was in breach by not having a system in place to ensure that the Platform Train Interface (PTI) is monitored as passengers are getting off a train at a terminus station. Another issue is whether LUL “was in breach by virtue of its train operators not being trained to look for passengers on the tracks when entering a station”.
Prashant Popat KC, for LUL, said: “We recognise that this is a tragic case, and the claimant sustained some horrific injuries.” In written submissions, he added: “The defendant denies these allegations. It also pleads contributory negligence.
“The parties are agreed that the case should proceed first towards a preliminary issue trial on liability. This would encompass breach of duty, causation and the issue of contributory negligence.”
Speaking after the hearing, Sarah said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has not returned to using public transport since the incident. She added: “I’m absolutely terrified.”
Thomas Jervis, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, which is representing Sarah, said: “This case is incredibly important and may have a profound impact on how London’s transport network is operated in the future.”