Well we are still in the midst of the snow storm that’s hit the UK causing havoc for travellers and commuters, as well as hitting utility services with power outs in the worst hit areas. And there’s one story that’s been standing out since Friday and over the weekend.
According to BBC reports (source) and a healthy plastering of the story on the telly, more than 2000 people were trapped inside the channel tunnel for hours as five trains broke down due to the freezing cold causing electrical malfunctions. Some passengers were stuck on trains in sidings at Folkston for more than seven hours, and one commuter’s 2 hour 20 minute journey from Paris turned in to 16 hours of hell!
The lack of organisation amongst the Eurostar staff has been heavily criticised as passengers stuck for hours in the tunnel were exhausted, hungry, without adequate toilet facilities, and cold whilst transfers were arranged for passengers to be evacuated from the broken down trains. According to a TV interview with some passengers that were caught up in the breakdowns, they were “treated like animals” with many staff appearing not even to speak English.
During the evacuation process, passengers were reportedly made to walk unaided in the dangerous tunnel to other trains. The criticism of the Eurostar staff as being “disgraceful” and “ignorant” has left a bitter taste in the mouths of passengers, of whom many were offered no food or water in the up to 16 hour stretches of being stuck on the trains. One group of passengers advised the BBC of a severe lack of provisions, with one bottle of water between ten people, and no fresh air leading to people collapsing from exhaustion; the tunnel being described as a “death trap”.
Passengers sitting in darkness with no power, no medical assistance, children passing out from exhaustion, inadequate provisions – it all sounds like something from a disaster movie! One disgruntled passenger stated “I will never travel with Eurostar again. They have safety issues” and protested the channel tunnel “is a death trap and I wouldn’t go near the place.” He went on to say to tell people “never travel with them (Eurostar); ever!”
And according to the latest reports this morning (source), the nightmare is continuing! Eurostar services have been suspended for a third day whilst trains are being modified and tested to cope with the traitorous weather conditions that have blitzed Britain and Europe over the weekend. More than 55,000 traveller’s have had their journeys cancelled according to sources, and an independent investigation is to be launched after water that leaked in to the electrics has been as the cause of the disruption that has crippled services for the channel tunnel.
Eurostar has promised compensation for those worst affected in the region of £150 per person and free return journeys, as well as full refunds and out of pocket expenses for hotels and meals allowed to be recovered for all passengers affected. It’s lucky that so far no one appears to have been seriously hurt or injured; but let’s face it, this could have been seriously worse…
The question remains – what if a disaster has ensued – a fire perhaps in the tunnel? Given the apparent lack of organisation of Eurostar staff and the lack of provisions for those stranded, we could have been looking at a serious disaster that really doesn’t bear thinking about… especially just days before Christmas.
Companies like Eurostar have a duty of care to ensure their customers do not come to harm – if they fail to do so, they are liable to compensate victims for their suffering. Speak to an independent expert personal injury solicitor to get the honest advice and representation for claiming the compensation you are legally entitled to.
