Man with guide dog hit, killed by train after falling off platform

I know it's impossible to monitor each and every person going through the gates. But I wonder if there could be a practice of looking out for blind people and keep an eye on them on the platform to ensure they don't fall. Or maybe at least let other platform staff know there's a blind person on the platform at that particular time and to be extra vigilant. The obvious remedy would be to put barriers at each and every station, but that's time-consuming. I'm at a loss for words. This should never happen.

RIP

This should never happen.

It should never happen I agree, yet we can not start pointing fingers to look for someone to take the blame for it either. Preventable and otherwise, accidents do sadly happen,

Looking out for all the folks with special needs should be something that these train companies should be doing about.

So sad. why don't they teach guide dogs to walk on the right at stations? Would save all this grief, literally. Cheaper too.

The dog was behind the man, to his left

Perhaps the railways, given the potential for cost saving alone, could assist with guide dog training?

I do hope JR don't fleece this poor man's family.

It does seem weird that he was in front of his guide dog - I thought guide dogs were supposed to lead the owner.

That's really terrible and very unlucky timing.

Amazing that he had the presence of mind to let go of the lead so as not to drag his dog over as well.

There's a subtle form of discrimination at play here.

The man was strangely in front of his guide dog, he was able to let go of the lead before he hit the tracks, and there was nobody around to stop him.

But the idea that a physically less-than-perfect person might feel that they've had enough of living, just like some able-bodied, tragic youngster is seemingly too much to bear....

why don't they teach guide dogs to walk on the right at stations?

You need to think that one through; it only works when walking in one direction depending on which side of the platform has the track.

I understand it would cost a lot and it would take a lot of time to construct, but there needs to be gates at the platform that prevent people from going onto the tracks. It would save a lot of lives, whether they fall unintentionally or intentionally.

I wish more passengers in the stations themselves would help keep a closer eye on the blind.

I often do myself and have offered to help a couple of times when they looked a bit unstable or lost.

I don't often see others doing that though.

It would save a lot of lives, whether they fall unintentionally or intentionally.

A lot? It's not like there are hundreds of people that die yearly by falling off the platforms, yes I agree that it could help to save the lives of those that fall or are pushed, unintentionally.

Intentionally? No, gates nor guards will stop anyone from killing themselves, that's a different story.

The dog was behind the man, to his left.

Maybe the dog was doing his job and had stopped as he should have.

I know it's impossible to monitor each and every person going through the gates. But I wonder if there could be a practice of looking out for blind people and keep an eye on them on the platform to ensure they don't fall. Or maybe at least let other platform staff know there's a blind person on the platform at that particular time and to be extra vigilant. The obvious remedy would be to put barriers at each and every station, but that's time-consuming. I'm at a loss for words. This should never happen.

That's kind of what the last paragraph hints at I guess:

as well as a system where an IC card touch at the gate notifies station staff of the presence of a visually handicapped person to make it easier for them to receive support.

Wow... RIP, I'm sorry the system let you down

Could perhaps people see the guidedog they think that he's in good hands and the dog will warn him vs a blindperson without a dog someone is more willing to assist or warn.

which is the latest in a series of similar cases where visually impaired people have fallen off platforms at train and subway stations in the past few years.

Could this be a training issue? I assume that both the visually impaired owner and guide dog undergo some kind of training to 'cement' their relationship? Whenever I read such story I have the impression the owner didn't 'understand' his dog and vice versa. Coaches/docs should also insist on being extra cautious when on platforms and to not hesitate to ask for help/stop.

The link below includes a photo of the platform.

The safety of the platform appears problematic. The Braille blocks are about four feet from the edge, and inside the blocks (away from the tracks) there's zero clearance in some places, between the blocks and pillars.

But ultimately the guy's safety is up to him. Why walk along the edge of the platform, away from the blocks?

http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170114/p2a/00m/0na/018000c

The dog must have distraught, losing it's owner like that...

Could perhaps people see the guidedog they think that he's in good hands and the dog will warn him vs a blindperson without a dog someone is more willing to assist or warn.

There was no one else near the man at the time of the incident

RIP and the poor dog - it must feel horrible to have lost his owner like that.

This was an unmanned station I believe just in case peopke wanted to blame the staff.

Someone saw him and didn't move. Poor fella. Keep an eye out for blind people folks . A wee helping hand, should be automatic.

You need to think that one through; it only works when walking in one direction depending on which side of the platform has the track.

then obviously the dog would stay on the left.... didn't think that needed saying..... should have thought about the 10%

Get those barriers up, train companies!