Schoolboy Struck and Killed by Train While using Cell Phone
Sussex, England – an 11-year-old boy was fatally struck by a train on January 23rd while walking to school in the south of London, a report released Tuesday by the Rail Accident Inquiry Bureau (RAIB) has revealed. Investigators determined the boy was distracted by a video playing on his cell phone and failed to heed the approaching train.
The tragedy occurred at a passive pedestrian level crossing – one not equipped with active warning systems. The train, traveling at approximately 80 km/h, sounded its horn and the driver applied the emergency brake, but the boy was unable to move to safety. Analysis of the boyS phone indicated a video was playing at the time of the impact.
The RAIB report noted the crossing “would have been possible to better signal to pedestrians that they were entering a potentially dangerous area,” identifying this as a possible contributing factor to the accident.
Network Rail, the british national railway network, stated that “significant” measures have been taken to prevent similar tragedies. Plans are in place to install miniature traffic lights at the crossing in December, which will provide a clear signal and audible warning when it is safe to cross. “We will install miniature traffic lights to improve safety by providing a clear signal and an audible warning to indicate to users when the crossing is safe,” explained the director of the Sussex line.
