Mother who lost arm and leg in 'devastating' Tube accident takes TfL to court
A mother, who lost an arm and leg after falling on the train tracks and being hit by a tube, says she is "terrified" every time her daughters get the Underground, as she takes Transport for London to court.
In September 2022, Sarah de Lagarde, 47, slipped on a platform at High Barnet station, in north London, and fell down the gap between the train and the platform.
After being hit by two separate trains, she was taken to hospital and had to have an arm and a leg amputated, and now uses two prosthetic limbs.
She tells ITV News London it had a "devastating impact" on her life, with her husband and children becoming her carers.
While the payment claim is large, she says she would "trade anything to get her limbs back".
Mrs De Lagarde is bringing a legal claim against London Underground Ltd (LUL), which is part of Transport for London (TfL).
The first hearing in the case was held at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday for breach of duty.
Speaking to ITV News London, she said she was bringing about the action as TfL is not doing enough to make the underground safe.
She said: "I really think that this is a bigger issue than just my case. This is affecting millions of commuters.
"I have two daughters who are of age to use public transport. I am absolutely terrified every time they go because I know the risks they're taking and I know that safety is a real issue. "
At the preliminary hearing, 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.'
A TfL spokesperson said: 'We are responding to a legal claim brought by Sarah de Lagarde. It is not appropriate to discuss details of our defence while this case is ongoing.
'Our thoughts continue to be with Sarah and her family following this terrible incident, and we will continue to make every possible effort to learn from any incident on the Tube network. Safety is our top priority and we will always place it at the forefront of our thinking.'
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