Elizabeth Line train leaves after driver goes for toilet break

People in the new concourse outside the Elizabeth Line underground exit/entrance at London Paddington railway station, which is currently under redevelopment, on January 9, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Paddington, also known as London Paddington, is a Central London rail terminus and London Underground station complex located on Praed Street in the Paddington district. This site has been the London terminus for services provided by the Great Western Railway and its successors since 1838. (photo: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images) — The train stopped at Paddington Station and set off towards Westbourne Park, about a mile away, without a driver on board. (Image: Getty Images/Mike Kemp)

Passengers and commuters will be introduced to the new trains when the capital's Elizabeth Line will finally open in London, England, on 24 May 2022. The Elizabeth Line is London's newest underground rail system, running between Paddington and Abbey Wood, but it was controversially opened three and a half years late and $4 billion over budget. (Photo by Richard Baker/in pictures via Getty Images) — Luckily there were no passengers on board when the train left Paddington. (Image: Getty Images/Richard Baker)

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The driver had mistakenly put the train into automatic reversal mode, which is usually used when it is time to change direction.

The incident occurred during rush hour on Friday, October 11.

Following the confusion, drivers were issued a warning to give flagmen more information about toilet trips to avoid similar situations in the future.

The warning read: ‘If you have an emergency need (meeting personal needs), contact the signalman and control in a timely manner and give as much advance notice as possible.

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‘Remember to always reach a clear understanding not only with the signal givers but also with the station staff.’

A source told The Metro: ‘It was a bit confusing. ‘The driver probably thought the staff would not close all the doors and the station staff probably thought it was in a safe situation, meaning the car would not move.’

Bosses at Elizabeth Line operator MTR reported the incident to rail accident safety investigators at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

However, the RAIB decided not to take further action and said it would leave further investigation to the railway companies involved.

London, England. 2 June 2022. Queen Elizabeth II. The iconic London Underground tube station sign for the Elizabeth Line at Abbey Wood, unveiled as Elizabeth celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.; Shutterstock ID 2163489247; purchase order: -; work: -; customer: -; other: - — The Elizabeth Line opened in May 2022 to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
(Image: Shutterstock/John Gomez)

‘The train must be staffed at all times, so our operator MTR Elizabeth Line has reminded all drivers of the high professional standards we set for the railway.’

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth officially launched the line in May 2022 to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee year.

Since then, Many incidents took place on the Elizabeth line. Including passengers being stranded on a train outside Paddington for several hours in December 2023.

This isn’t the first funny incident to happen on the subway; A long list of weird and wonderful items are being left on trains, including a prosthetic leg and an oversized carpet.

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