Disabled woman’s pet dog was killed when its lead was caught in train door and it was dragged down a tunnel
Rose Barry, 75, claims no one helped her as eight-year-old Shih Tzu Jonty was dragged under the moving train
A DOG died after its lead became trapped in a train door and it was dragged along the platform and into a tunnel.
Owner Rose Barry, 75, boarded a train at Elstree and Borehamwood Station, Herts with Jonty her eight-year-old Shih Tzu on Friday to visit her daughter in London.
Rose, a disabled former nurse who cannot walk long distances, said nobody helped as she struggled to load her luggage and walker onto the train.
She then claims the doors closed on Jonty’s head while she was still on the platform.
Screaming for help, Rose watched in horror as Jonty was dragged away along the platform and onto the tracks by the train.
After waiting an anxious eight hours for news of the search for her beloved pet officials from rail company Thameslink told the pensioner Jonty’s dead body had been found in the tunnel.
Rose is now demanding more assistance on the platform and on trains for disabled passengers to avoid similar tragedies in future.
She said: “What happened was terrible, and every night when I close my eyes Jonty’s image comes back to me.
“I have been travelling for 20 years and did everything correctly when I boarded the train on Friday, it’s just my disability means I sometimes need a little extra help.
“He was nervous because he wasn’t used to travelling on the train but had recently become more confident in doing so.
When Jonty got trapped, Rose desperately tried to grab the attention of other train passengers or wardens.
“I immediately started screaming and hammering on the doors. I could see Jonty dangling from the carriage into the gap between the platform and the rails.
“Perhaps if it had been a child who had got caught, things would have been different.”
After the tragedy, Network Rail and Thameslink returned Jonty’s body to Rose, who was able to bury her treasured companion in her garden.
“Jonty was my first dog and he was exactly what I wanted in a dog, he was so easy to look after.
“We loved going for walks – everybody loved him, he was such a friendly and loving pet.
“I am so angry my dearest little dog, my companion, was caught up in this.
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A Thameslink spokesperson said: "We are very sorry for the distress caused to Ms Barry by this deeply upsetting incident.
"We launched an immediate investigation and have informed the Rail Accident Investigation Branch."
A spokesman for Network Rail said the matter was not one for them to comment on.
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