City worker pushed under Tube train survived by lying in foetal position

A City worker pushed under a Tube train by a mental health patient survived because he lay in a foetal position between the tracks.

Alan Alencar, 29, was on day release from a unit in Scotland when he shoved Alain Lesjongard, a 55-year-old global financial expert.

Mr Lesjongard avoided touching the live rails and curled up as the train went over him. He was able to crawl free from under the train with his suit in shreds, having suffered fractures to his spine, leg and a gash to his neck.

Alencar had travelled to London to see his mother, who was herself in a psychiatric unit, on an overnight bus from Edinburgh the previous night.

Afterwards, he was waiting at Bayswater Tube station, in west London, at about 5pm on Nov 2 last year when he saw Mr Lesjongard.

Just before a westbound District Line train arrived, Alencar rose from a bench and pushed Mr Lesjongard from behind, sending him into its path, the Old Bailey was told. The driver hit the brake, but was unable to stop in time, passing over Mr Lesjongard as he lay curled between the tracks.

Alencar, a paranoid schizophrenic, of Edinburgh, admitted attempted murder. He was handed a hospital order yesterday.

Judge Sarah Munro, QC, said: “Miraculously, Mr Lesjongard was not electrocuted nor killed in this incident. He was able, albeit in severe pain, to crawl out from under the train.

“He was covered in blood. He clearly thought that he was dying. He suffered panic attacks, nightmares and palpitations. He routinely feels lucky to be alive. He was a complete stranger to you.”

The court heard the train driver has been unable to return to work, after suffering flashbacks, panic attacks and sleeplessness.

Alencar has previous convictions for breaching a non-molestation order and for public disorder.