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Disabled passenger locked in railway station Disabled passenger locked in Oxenholme railway station
(4 months later)
Stuart Flett was stuck at the locked station for more than an hour after his train was delayedStuart Flett was stuck at the locked station for more than an hour after his train was delayed
A disabled rail passenger who was trapped at a train station until the early hours has called for intercoms to be placed at platforms.A disabled rail passenger who was trapped at a train station until the early hours has called for intercoms to be placed at platforms.
Stuart Flett was stranded at Oxenholme railway station at Kendal, Cumbria, for over an hour after his train was delayed and staff locked up before he had left.Stuart Flett was stranded at Oxenholme railway station at Kendal, Cumbria, for over an hour after his train was delayed and staff locked up before he had left.
Mr Flett, from Barrow-in-Furness, said he had to call the police for help as he could not get through to anyone at Avanti West Coast.Mr Flett, from Barrow-in-Furness, said he had to call the police for help as he could not get through to anyone at Avanti West Coast.
The train operating company said it had apologised to Mr Flett.The train operating company said it had apologised to Mr Flett.
Mr Flett said the apology was "welcome", but called for emergency intercoms to be placed on the platform and better access to disabled toilets.Mr Flett said the apology was "welcome", but called for emergency intercoms to be placed on the platform and better access to disabled toilets.
Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said Mr Flett's experience had been "appalling" and "unacceptable for any passenger".Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said Mr Flett's experience had been "appalling" and "unacceptable for any passenger".
He added this was the third time he was aware of people being trapped at the station.He added this was the third time he was aware of people being trapped at the station.
'Everything was locked''Everything was locked'
Mr Flett arrived at Oxenholme at about 23.30 BST on 1 October after his train was held at Preston for an hour and a half.Mr Flett arrived at Oxenholme at about 23.30 BST on 1 October after his train was held at Preston for an hour and a half.
He was coming back from a hospital appointment in London and said only two passengers got off the train at the northbound platform.He was coming back from a hospital appointment in London and said only two passengers got off the train at the northbound platform.
Mr Flett, who has mobility issues due to a neuromuscular condition, headed through the underpass towards the car park next to the southbound platform when he realised he had been locked in.Mr Flett, who has mobility issues due to a neuromuscular condition, headed through the underpass towards the car park next to the southbound platform when he realised he had been locked in.
"No station staff were visible. The station looked like it was functional, the lights were on, but everything else was locked," Mr Flett said."No station staff were visible. The station looked like it was functional, the lights were on, but everything else was locked," Mr Flett said.
"There was a big chain around the gate and a padlock."There was a big chain around the gate and a padlock.
"I thought 'I can't get out. And I need the toilet'.""I thought 'I can't get out. And I need the toilet'."
He called Avanti but said he could not get through to anyone and rang 101 to arrange help. Eventually he managed to leave at 00:42 BST.He called Avanti but said he could not get through to anyone and rang 101 to arrange help. Eventually he managed to leave at 00:42 BST.
Mr Flett said there had a been a member of staff on each platform when he first got off the train.Mr Flett said there had a been a member of staff on each platform when he first got off the train.
"Clearly the time it took me to cross from the northbound platform, down around to the underpass, through the underpass, back up the other side, the staff have looked round the station and thought 'well, that's everybody gone' so they've just locked up and went home," he added."Clearly the time it took me to cross from the northbound platform, down around to the underpass, through the underpass, back up the other side, the staff have looked round the station and thought 'well, that's everybody gone' so they've just locked up and went home," he added.
An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said the company had been in touch with Mr Flett to apologise and explain what had happened.An Avanti West Coast spokesperson said the company had been in touch with Mr Flett to apologise and explain what had happened.
"We have looked at the incident thoroughly, including reviewing CCTV footage, and have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again," the spokesperson said."We have looked at the incident thoroughly, including reviewing CCTV footage, and have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again," the spokesperson said.
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