Maya Sikand, a barrister at Garden Court Chambers acted for the family of the deceased last week at an inquest that has called for a review of safety procedures on the London Underground.
Felicity Stephenson, who had been diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was already engaged with local mental health services, died after jumping onto the train track.
Tragically, a driver had noticed Stephenson attempt to jump in front of a train earlier that evening. Despite the driver's requests, British Transport Police were not called and Stephenson died after jumping in front of a second train.
The jury returned a narrative verdict highlighting London Underground Limited's failure to call the British Transport Police.
After the hearing at St Pancras Coroner's Court, Coroner Andrew Reid said that will be utilising his powers to make a Rule 43 report and will be writing to London Underground Limited, calling for a more joined-up approach with local mental health services in dealing with vulnerable passengers. He added "What struck me was that ... the drivers' gut feeling was right. Without saying that the system failed, what didn't seem to be incorporated was a way of capturing all the information that was available."
Read the full story in the Islington Tribune.
Maya Sikand regularly appears in inquest hearings. Click here to read her full profile.
