Investigation launched as sign falls in Kentish Town

An investigation has been launched after a man was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital with a head injury when a sign fell off a building in high winds.

The London Underground and National Rail sign fell almost two floors from above the entrance of Kentish Town tube station on Friday.

Witnesses reported seeing blood on the pavement in Kentish Town Road as the victim – believed to be in his 40s – was taken with severe injuries by ambulance to a major trauma hospital, where he remained this week.

His family, including a young child, was with him at the time the sign fell in winds caused by Storm Ellen. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) are investigating. Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for maintenance of the station and its signs.

Nicola Careem, a BBC journalist, said she alerted staff at the station that the sign looked like it was going to fall and was told it had been reported to the maintenance team.

Around 45 minutes later she walked back past the station and saw the aftermath. Ms Careem said: “I just felt full of anger that this was allowed to happen.

It was quite obviously an immediate danger to the public.” She said the sign “was swinging on its hinges” in the wind and she had made her children walk around it.

Gomez Vital was standing metres away from the sign when it fell. He said: “As they were walking towards us I heard some creaking – then all of a sudden it falls.”

Mr Vital said the man hit by the sign was bleeding and seemingly suffering convulsions, adding: “There were a lot of people and the girl was crying. He was on the floor and there was screaming for help.

“There was an initial shock but I just grabbed the girl and began comforting her. That was the worst part. But she just wanted to see her dad and ran towards him.”

Alex Witney, from London Bead Co, opposite the station, said: “That wind was just ridiculous. We have had a lot more wind in the last 12 months. I just think it was an unfortunate incident.”

Tube station staff called an ambulance and the paramedics were at the scene within five minutes.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and best wishes are with the person who was injured. We are continuing to investigate how this incident happened.”

A British Transport Police spokesperson said yesterday (Wednesday) the man remained in hospital.

In 2013 Jacob Marx, 27, died after he was hit by a falling sign outside William Hill bookmakers in Camden Road, Camden Town.

Camden Council brought charges against William Hill under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, but the company was cleared of wrongdoing in a Crown Court hearing.