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Do you know him? Face of man who jumped in front of Tube and survived
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent02.06.09
POLICE today appealed for help in identifying a man who threw himself in front of a London Underground train and survived.
The man was struck by a Victoria line service after he jumped onto the line at Oxford Circus station.
Despite suffering injuries to his head, pelvis and stomach, he survived and remains in a stable but critical condition in hospital.
However, the man has not regained consciousness and was not carrying any identification.
Police have contacted missing person units and used fingerprint and DNA techniques in an effort to identify him but to no avail.
The man, who is black, is thought to be aged between 40 and 50.
Today police released an e-fit image of him and a CCTV picture of him moments before the jump in an effort to identify him.
British Transport Police confirmed that they were not treating the incident as suspicious.
Today BTP Inspector Chris Horton said: "It's very unusual that we would release an e-fit image of someone in these circumstances.
"But it's very important that his family and those close to him are informed. Our specialist forensic artist created the e-fit of him and we are releasing it in the hope that someone may recognise him, even if they don't know him well, and come forward to us with information that may help us identify him."
Mr Horton added: "This man is someone's son and may also be a brother or a father. If you know someone matching the e-fit or description we are keen to hear from you so we can identify him and inform his family as soon as possible.
"He is black with short, black hair which is greying slightly and has brown eyes. He is around 5ft 8ins tall and is of medium build. He is thought to be between 40 to around 50 years of age."
The man was wearing a red or burgundy jacket, a striped T-shirt, denim jeans and black shoes.
Between 20 and 30 people commit suicide on the London Underground network every a year.
Experts say it is not uncommon for people to survive a suicide bid on the Tube because of the speed the trains are travelling and because of the height of the rails over the ground.
Anyone with any information about the fall, which took place just before 9.30pm on Monday 18 May, should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.
Reader views (2)
This isn't quite America yet over here regarding putting in a claim for self-inflicted injuries. Tripping on a broken paving slab, maybe but not jumping in front of a train.
It is more likely that a "jumper" could be prosecuted over here.
- Frank, London UK
When is he going to sue the Government and settle out of court. You think that is silly. Wait and see.
- Ruck, Myrtle Beach SC USA
