LIB DEMS CALL FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION AFTER PARAMEDIC ELECTROCUTED ON TUBE LINE

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Jun 2005

Commenting on the major incident at Kings Cross tube Station yesterday where a paramedic was electrocuted and sustained burn injuries while dealing with a person under a train, the Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent investigation into how safety of rescue teams was life threateningly compromised.

The Liberal Democrats have demanded that London Underground undertake a full, urgent and transparent investigation into both how the event occurred and what measures will be put into place to ensure that an incident like this never happens again.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, Geoff Pope, said:-

"This is a deeply disturbing and, quite frankly, disgraceful incident that could have led to the death of emergency staff who were trying to save someone's life.

"An urgent public investigation must be held into both how this potentially fatal incident took place and how London Underground will make sure that this never happens again.

"It is absolutely crucial when the emergency services are put into a difficult, dangerous and distressing situations such as this, that everything is done to make sure their safety is the top priority.

ENDS

Notes to editor

The incident occurred on Wednesday 29th June at approximately 10.30am at Kings Cross Station.