Investigation and inquest
On 3rd December 2021, this court commenced an investigation into the death of Hassan Zubair, The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11th May 2022. I arrived at a narrative conclusion,
“Mr Hassan Zubair was declared deceased at 14.06 on 2nd December 2021 at Goodmayes Railway station after he was ████████. Mr Zubair deliberately ████████ at the station but it has not been possible to determine his intentions at the time.”
The medical cause of death was:
1.a. Multiple injuries
2. Alcohol Intoxication
Circumstances of the death
Goodmayes station consists of four platforms, 1-4. The station is oriented east to west, Platform 1 situated to the south, Platform 4 to the north and platforms 2 & 3 occupying a central island between the lines.
At 13:40 on 2 December 2021, Network Rail was made aware of a concern for welfare by a report from the driver of train 2W34 stationary at Platform 4, who reported seeing a member of the public on Platform 3 of Goodmayes station with no shoes on, carrying a blanket. That person was later identified as Hassan Zubair.
The call resulted in two actions;
1. At 13:43, the Signaller advised the driver of train 2W59 (the next train due into Goodmayes station on the Up Electric line on Platform 3) to approach at caution because of a concern for welfare.
2. The operator of Goodmayes station was contacted to alert staff at the station and the local security team of the concern.
Moments later, Mr Zubair was struck at 13:45 by the 13:33 London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria, train 1K50 on the Down Main line (████████). Critically, this train had received no warning to approach with caution and accordingly was travelling at a speed estimated to be between 80-85 mph. Mr Zubair was killed instantly.
Coroner’s concerns
1. The failure of the signals controller to advise trains travelling through ████████ to proceed with caution.