A man has been killed after a dog leash tied to him got caught in a train door and he was dragged down the platform at a station in the US state of Virginia.
The victim, identified by family as 50-year-old Harold Riley, had stepped off the train earlier this week and was standing on the platform but the dog attached to him was still inside the carriage, Metro Transit Police said.
He was dragged along the platform and onto the tracks.
Mr Riley was pronounced dead at the hospital.
His two daughters told Sky News affiliate NBC Washington he leaves behind four grandchildren.
Metro Transit Police said the canine did not appear to be a service animal, but Mr Riley’s daughters said the dog, named Daisy, had her service vest on at the time.
Pets are not allowed on board unless they are in a carrier or if they are service animals.
The dog was taken into police care, but Mr Riley’s daughter Olivia Stark told FOX 5 she picked her up from a shelter and found a family to adopt her.
Metro Transit Police said it was investigating the accident.
It said the train operator had performed two safe door checks before pulling away from the platform.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased,” the force said.
