Blind Man Wins Compensation After Near-Death Experience at Manchester Piccadilly

Abdul Eneser, a blind law student at the University of Strathclyde, experienced a life-threatening incident at Manchester Piccadilly station when he fell onto the tracks due to the absence of tactile paving. This lack of essential safety features left him unaware of his proximity to the platform edge. Eneser was informed by a dispatcher that a freight train was approaching and would not stop. Fortunately, he managed to pull himself back onto the platform just before the train arrived, sustaining injuries to his knees, hands, and neck. Following a three-year legal battle, Eneser was awarded £18,000 in compensation from Network Rail, although the company did not admit liability.

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

Eneser's case was supported by Leigh Day, a law firm that argued Network Rail violated the 2010 Equality Act and the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 by failing to provide reasonable accommodations for passengers with disabilities. In response to previous incidents, including the death of another blind man, Cleveland Gervais, in 2020 due to similar safety oversights, Network Rail announced in July 2025 that tactile paving had been installed across its network. However, Eneser advocates for more comprehensive accessibility measures in UK rail travel, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement with individuals who have lived experience of visual impairment.

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

Eneser expressed that the compensation was secondary to his primary goal of preventing similar incidents in the future. He criticized the rail industry's reactive culture, stating, “The rail industry has a culture of: let’s react to things rather than minimise risk and look ahead.” He proposed enhancements such as a live-chat feature on the passenger assist app and a clearly marked assistance button at train station entrances to improve accessibility for visually impaired travelers. Eneser highlighted the broader implications of poor accessibility, stating that it not only affects individual confidence in travel but can also lead to dangerous situations.

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

Critics of the rail industry’s approach argue that the existing measures are insufficient and that there is a systemic failure to prioritize the safety of disabled passengers. Eneser’s experience underscores the ongoing challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in navigating public transport, calling for a shift in how rail operators address accessibility issues.

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

• “When I was down on that track I just thought: this is it,” — Abdul Eneser, Law Student

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

• “Poor accessibility in rail travel is not just a one-off issue.” — Abdul Eneser, Law Student

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

• “The money is a plus, but for me the main reason I did it was to prevent it happening again, both to myself and to other visually impaired travellers,” — Abdul Eneser, Law Student

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements

Abdul Eneser’s case highlights critical gaps in the accessibility of UK rail services and the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure the safety of visually impaired travelers. His advocacy aims not only to secure justice for himself but also to foster a more inclusive and safer travel environment for all individuals with disabilities.

‘It was a very lucky escape’: blind man who fell on to tracks calls for rail travel improvements