Yahoo News Oxford Circus: Commuter 'crushed by tube' during rush hour
A commuter was reportedly crushed under a tube at Oxford Circus station during rush hour this evening.
Witnesses said they saw a man in his mid-20s being jostled by crowds before falling onto the platform two seconds before the train pulled in.
They say he tried to haul himself back up but it all happened "too quickly" and travellers heard a "crunching" sound as he was run over.
The station has been evacuated and emergency services are at the scene. The victim's condition is not known.
Ebony Rainford-Brent, who witnessed the incident, told The Telegraph: "I can't believe what I just saw. It's just a disgrace that the tube can get so packed like this and there be no crowd management. There were no tube assistants moving people.
"I was two metres away and he was two rows in front of me and people were packed in. The tube came down from the left and about with about two seconds to go this guy with all the pushing and shoving. I saw him fall - he definitely didn't jump.
"He reached to try to come and come back and then we heard a crunch. It was the most horrific thing.
"Why they don't have protection like the Jubilee line?
"I tried to step back because it was getting too much. He didn't look more than 25 years old, dark hair, black jacket. I can't see a way he's coming out alive. I pray for his family.
"Everyone started pressing the panic alarm and everyone was screaming. People were crying and shouting. Then there was a message on the tannoy which said 'Please stop pressing panic button, we are aware of what's happening and please evacuate.
"I got in an Uber because I couldn't even face a tube. It's just not acceptable. You shouldn't be risking your life just going to and from work. There should be barriers and station management. I looked around and some were just crying and wailing. It was so quick.
"In the most sophisticated city in the world, how do we not have a system with doors like the Jubilee line? It's just not good enough."
