CCTV footage of three incidents involving buggies has been released by Govia Thameslink Railway today.

They have released the footage to call attention to the importance of safety on platforms.

Portslade and South Croydon both had incidents where empty pushchairs rolled onto the tracks, and at Gatwick where a parent fell on the platform when leaving a train.

13 safety incidents have been recorded at Govia Thameslink Railway stations, which involved children, with last year’s incidents at 36.

Luckily, none of the incidents that have been released caused any major physical injury; however, many could have.

The most common cause of incidents when moving on and off trains was as a result of parents moving forward, and the buggy wheels getting stuck in the gap.

The train operator has also noticed people not using the wide aisle gate when entering and exiting stations.

Rail Safety Week (16th – 22nd June) is important to Govia Thameslink Railway, and they want to highlight issues to prevent more incidents over the summer months when trains are busier.

They are giving out 840 Arlo’s Adventure Rail Safety Books at stations where they see the most children.

Lastly, they remind passengers to hold onto young children when moving on and off trains, ensure children are strapped into buggies, and the brakes are applied, and buggies should be kept hold of at all times while remaining behind the yellow line.

“We know how challenging travelling with young children can be, and we want to help families feel safe and supported every step of the journey. These incidents are a reminder of how important it is to stay vigilant—especially when using buggies on platforms or getting on and off trains. We’re asking everyone travelling with little ones to take a moment to plan ahead, hold on tight, and use the wide gates where possible. A little extra care can go a long way in keeping you and your children safe.”

Samantha Facey, Health, Safety & Security Director at GTR,