An inquiry is currently ongoing following the tragic death of a child who was struck by a train in south London last month.
The accident took place shortly after 08:00 GMT on January 23 at the Bourneview footpath crossing, located between Whyteleafe and Kenley, according to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
At the time of the collision, the train was traveling at approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
A representative from the British Transport Police reported that the child was pronounced dead at the scene, and the circumstances surrounding the death are not considered suspicious.
The Bourneview footpath crossing serves as a pedestrian link between two residential neighborhoods in Kenley and is equipped with gates and signage advising pedestrians on safe crossing procedures.
The child, whose identity has yet to be officially confirmed by the police, attended Riddlesdown Collegiate in Kenley, as reported by Inside Croydon.
A spokesperson for the RAIB stated that the ongoing investigation aims to uncover the chain of events that led to the incident, including factors influencing the child’s behavior, any prior occurrences at the crossing, risk management measures in place, and any underlying issues.
This investigation operates independently of any inquiries conducted by the railway sector or the Office of Rail and Road.
The RAIB plans to publish a report detailing the findings and any safety recommendations on their website once the investigation is complete.
