Fighting for life, blind man led onto subway tracks by his guide dog

A BLIND man was fighting for his life last night after being led onto subway tracks by his guide dog.

Eyewitnesses said the 32-year-old was ‘covered in blood’ and ‘missing half his ear’ after the horror fall just before noon yesterday.

The Glasgow Subway was put on lockdown while police investigated the accident at the city’s Bridge Street station, with services delayed for around four hours.

The man, who had yet to be named last night, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, with his condition described as ‘life-threatening’. It is believed he suffered serious chest injuries.

Onlookers said his golden labrador had fallen with him, but a British Transport Police spokesman said the dog was not on the tracks by the time officers arrived.

It is possible the animal quickly jumped back up to the platform.

The dog was taken by the Scottish SPCA animal welfare charity and later handed over to the care of Guide Dogs UK.

A witness wrote online: ‘Just seen a guy missing half his ear, clothing covered in blood screaming uncontrollably at Bridge Street subway. Loads of first responders on scene.’ Other posts called for transport chiefs to ‘install barriers with doors like at some London Underground stations’, in order to help improve disabled access and safety.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Rebecca Carr said: ‘We were alerted to the incident at Bridge Street station in Glasgow by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We collected a guide dog who appeared very distressed but otherwise seemed in good health. We transported the dog to Guide Dogs UK, who are providing him with the care he needs.’

A spokesman for Guide Dogs UK said: ‘We are aware of an incident that happened at Bridge Street.

‘We will be looking into it thoroughly to establish exactly what happened, but our immediate thoughts and concerns are for the welfare of our guide dog owner and their guide dog.

‘Members of Guide Dogs’ staff have been supporting the dog owner’s family in hospital, and the dog is being examined by a vet before being taken into Guide Dogs’ care for the short-term.’

Both the Inner and Outer Circle train lines of the Glasgow Subway were shut at around 12.30pm, with services delayed until 4pm.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said: ‘We received a call at 11.59am to attend an incident at Glasgow’s Bridge Street subway station.

‘We sent an ambulance, a critical care advanced practitioner, the trauma team and the special operations response team to the scene.

‘One male patient was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital travelling with the trauma team.’

British Transport Police said: ‘Officers were called at 12.53pm to Bridge Street following a report of a casualty on the tracks.

‘A man has been taken to hospital. At this stage his injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

‘The incident is not being treated as suspicious.’