A guide dog was dragged along the platform at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne after its leash became caught in a train door, prompting an investigation by Metro Trains.
Despite passengers urgently alerting the driver through the intercom and a station employee signaling for the train to halt, it continued on its route.
Metro Trains has expressed regret regarding the situation. Lucy Carpenter, who was returning home from her job at Guide Dogs Victoria on Tuesday afternoon, boarded the train with her guide dog, Dottie, a routine they have followed for nearly four years. Ms. Carpenter, who has low vision, stated that she placed her hand on the door to help guide herself inside the carriage when the doors unexpectedly closed, separating her from Dottie.
“The situation unfolded so quickly, leaving me little time to respond,” said Ms. Carpenter. The leash of the dog became ensnared in the closing doors, and despite the efforts of nearby passengers to assist, they were unable to open the doors before the train departed.
“I was overwhelmed with panic,” she recalled. “I knew once the doors closed that this was a very serious situation.” Although a fellow passenger informed her that a woman on the platform managed to free the leash, Ms. Carpenter was uncertain if Dottie had sustained any injuries.
Passengers attempted to contact the driver multiple times, but the train proceeded to Southern Cross Station. Another passenger helped Ms. Carpenter disembark and accompanied her on a subsequent train back to Flinders Street Station.
“At Flinders Street Station, a Metro staff member and the woman who had freed Dottie were present,” Ms. Carpenter noted. “The staff member mentioned that she had been waving for the train to stop, but it went unnoticed.” Ms. Carpenter expressed her gratitude to the woman who rescued Dottie, stating, “I owe her a great deal.” She described the incident as frightening, emphasizing Dottie’s significance in her life as not only her guide but also her companion and source of confidence.
Although Dottie suffered a minor injury to a toenail, Ms. Carpenter expressed concern about how the incident might impact Dottie’s guiding abilities in the future. “It was a traumatic experience for both of us, and we need to work through it to maintain our confidence in traveling independently,” she added.
In a statement to the ABC, Metro Trains apologized to Ms. Carpenter, indicating that she was holding the doors open at the time. The statement explained that the doors are designed to prevent a train from moving if obstructed; however, the thinness of the leash did not trigger this safety mechanism.
“We sincerely apologize for what must have been an exceedingly distressing experience for both the passenger and the dog involved,” the statement read. “We urge passengers not to hold or attempt to reopen closing train doors to prevent unsafe situations and to remain behind the yellow line when the door-closing signal is activated.” Metro Trains is currently conducting a review to identify lessons from the event.
Ms. Carpenter noted that she had not received any direct communication from Metro Trains. “I understand they released a statement, which is disheartening as it places much of the responsibility on me,” she remarked. She expressed concern that similar incidents could occur for other travelers, particularly those with low vision or small children.
Nicky Long, CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria, stated that the incident has caused anxiety among her team. “The outcome could have been much worse,” she said, advocating for increased driver education from Metro Trains. “Everyone deserves to feel safe when using public transport,” she asserted. “For individuals in our community, including those who are blind or have low vision, we work to develop routines and teach them how to navigate obstacles. It is crucial that they experience some degree of predictability and certainty while traveling.”
Daniel Bowen from the Public Transport Users Association suggested that Metro Trains should assess the need for upgrades to its cameras and door sensors. This incident follows closely on the heels of another serious event where a schoolboy was injured after his backpack became caught by a train mirror, leading to an accident under a train carriage at North Melbourne Railway Station.
