A ScotRail passenger has claimed a conductor pulled his dog onto the tracks while he boarded a train to Paisley. Darren Carding was visiting his girlfriend with his 18-month-old Labrador, Ozzie, on Friday, March 17, when the alleged incident occurred.
After having a disagreement with the conductor, Darren, who is originally from Shrewsbury, claims Ozzie was dragged underneath the carriage. And ever since the terrifying ordeal, he has told how he can't get the image of his shaken puppy on the tracks out of his head.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Darren said: "I was going to Paisley to visit my girlfriend and her little girl. I had purchased my ticket on my phone but it wasn’t a mobile ticket and needed to be collected from a station which I didn’t realise.
"I had the proof of purchase and was going to collect the ticket from Camelon when I arrived, but the conductor did not accept this. Then when I got my return train from Camelon it was the same conductor. As I was boarding the train he asked if I had a ticket and I said I do it’s in my wallet as I had picked it up from Camelon as I had said previously to him."
He continued: "As I was boarding with my dog Ozzie, I felt a pull on the lead and noticed she wasn’t on the train. I turned and saw to my horror Ozzie was on the track under the train, he had pulled her lead which had pulled her under the train.
"I had to drag her up by her collar, luckily she seemed ok but she was very shaken and afraid. She was very clingy and whimpering after but she is enjoying lots of cuddles with my girlfriend's little girl and I'm going to keep an eye on her. It was really scary, I can’t get the image of seeing her on the track between the edge of the platform and the train out of my head."
Straight after the incident, the conductor continued to press Darren for a ticket which he had on his phone rather than a physical copy. He explained: "He then after asked again if I had a ticket, rather than apologising and I asked his name so I could make a complaint. He then said he doesn’t need to give me it and hid his badge, as he turned I saw his badge and his name.
"I then asked for an apology, he apologised and said he was sorry for what happened to the dog, but he meant to grab me instead, then he locked himself behind a door on the train."
Darren continued: "When I got to Glasgow Queen Street, I was met at the platform by three police officers, as he had called the police from the train. They questioned me and him, they came to the conclusion I was not in the wrong and asked if I wished to take it further."
After complaining to ScotRail the passenger received an email, seen by Edinburgh Live, which apologised for the incident and confirmed that they are now investigating further. ScotRail told Edinburgh Live the incident is being investigated both internally and by Police Scotland so they are unable to comment.
Police Scotland and the British Transport Police have been approached for comment.
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