A British mother who lost her right arm and leg after falling onto Tube tracks has described the progress in her legal battle as a “significant milestone” in her pursuit of justice. Sarah de Lagarde, 47, was severely injured at High Barnet station in north London in September 2022, when she fell between the train and platform, and was subsequently struck by two separate trains. Now reliant on prosthetic limbs, including a bionic arm, she is pursuing a High Court claim against London Underground Ltd (LUL), a subsidiary of Transport for London.
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At the Royal Courts of Justice, a preliminary hearing was held to assess an alleged breach of duty. Mrs de Lagarde, who appeared outside the court, said the incident “cost me dearly”, citing the devastating impact on her independence and ability to care for her children. She declared that she was not only seeking justice for herself but advocating for a safer and more accountable transport system across London.
During the hearing, it was revealed that one of the key issues to be addressed at trial is whether LUL failed in its duty by not monitoring CCTV footage as passengers disembarked. Another matter involves whether Tube drivers should have been trained to check for people on the tracks when entering stations. Mrs de Lagarde previously described how she cried out for help, but there were no staff present and no one observing the security cameras. She remained on the tracks until the second train entered the station and hit her again.
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LUL, while acknowledging the tragic nature of the case, has denied liability and raised the issue of contributory negligence. Its barrister, Prashant Popat, stated in written submissions that the defendant disputes the allegations. The court confirmed that another hearing will take place in September, with a full trial anticipated for early 2027. As the case continues, it raises broader questions about safety protocols and staff presence within the London Underground network.
