Mum hits back at TfL for ‘blaming her’ for losing arm and leg under Tube trains

A PR executive who was crushed by two Tube trains has accused TfL of blaming her for the accident that left her with life-changing injuries.

Sarah de Lagarde, 47, had parts of her right arm and leg amputated after two Northern Line trains ran her over at High Barnet on September 30, 2022.

She told MailOnline: ‘TfL is blaming me for being run over and crushed by not one, but two London Underground trains. 

‘TfL’s initial reaction was to label me as a drunk woman wearing high heels, both claims were baseless and have since been withdrawn. 

‘TfL has posters up across its network urging everyone to “be kind”, which couldn’t be further from how they have treated me.’

On the night in question, Ms de Lagarde lost her footing and fell down the gap between the train and platform edge.

The mother-of-two called for help but nobody heard her, including the Tube driver who saw her handbag and took it to lost property before going on with his journey at 9.54pm, running over her arm.

Five minutes later a second train pulled into the platform, crushing her right leg.

Ms de Lagarde said: ‘I knew in that moment, there was a high chance I was going to die on those Northern Line tracks.

‘I started to think about my children, and I knew I owed it to them to come home. I thought to myself, there is no way I am dying here. I need to be with my daughters.’

Ms de Lagarde, who is head of PR for the investment firm Janus Henderson, has taken the case to the High Court, and is suing TfL for £25 million.

Defence documents seen by Metro show that TfL has denied liability, accusing her of being ‘negligent’ in the way she alighted the train and ‘placed herself in a position of danger’.

TfL says Ms de Lagarde did not maintain her balance, was not on a stable footing, had insufficient regard for her own safety, and was not listening to the ‘mind the gap’ announcements.

Prashant Popat KC, for LUL, said: ‘We recognise that this is a tragic case, and the claimant sustained some horrific injuries.’

He added in written submissions: ‘The defendant denies these allegations.

‘It also pleads contributory negligence.

‘The parties are agreed that the case should proceed first towards a preliminary issue trial on liability. This would encompass breach of duty, causation and the issue of contributory negligence.’

She also said previously: ‘Miraculously, I survived, but it cost me dearly – the first train took my arm, and the second train took my leg. 

‘That night I also lost my mobility, my independence, my dignity and, above all, my ability to hug my two young children with both arms.’ 

She now uses two prosthetic limbs including a bionic arm, and is ‘absolutely terrified’ of using public transport.

An eight-week trial has been set for 2027 and a further hearing is set to take place in September.

Thomas Jervis, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, which is representing Ms de Lagarde, said: ‘Like millions of other Londoners, Sarah de Lagarde was just trying to get home from work when she was hit by two tube trains at High Barnet station. 

‘Transport for London is refusing to accept liability and positively blames Sarah for what happened.

‘This case is incredibly important and may have a profound impact on how London’s transport network is operated in the future.’

A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We are responding to a legal claim brought by Sarah de Lagarde. It is not appropriate to discuss details of our defence while this case is ongoing. 

‘Our thoughts continue to be with Sarah and her family following this terrible incident, and we will continue to make every possible effort to learn from any incident on the Tube network. 

‘Safety is our top priority and we will always place it at the forefront of our thinking.’

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