Boy Dies at Bedminster Station
More news on this story: Evening Post 16th Oct. (I missed it until now!)
CHILDREN PLAY GAME OF DEATH
Police have issued a warning after children were spotted playing football on the tracks at Bedminster railway station - just weeks after a 12-year-old schoolboy was killed by a train. British Transport Police have urged parents to take more responsibility for their youngsters and fear that if they continue to "play" on the lines then it will only be a matter of time before another tragic accident happens.
Children as young as nine have been seen messing around on the tracks, officers say.
David Hagin, of Mendip Road, Bedminster, described by his parents as a "gentle, caring and sensitive boy", was killed by a train at the same station only last month.
It is unclear why he was on the track, although there is no suggestion that he had been playing on the line.
But officers say children in the area appear not to have learned any lessons from the tragedy.
They are regularly seen running across the tracks in front of trains.
Inspector Ian MacDonald said: "Parents need to take responsibility for what their children get up to.
"The whole community is aware of what happened only a few weeks ago and the ordeal is still very fresh in their minds, and yet their children are playing on the railway lines.
"A few days ago a train had to make an emergency stop when the driver spotted children playing football on the tracks up in front of him.
"There was a group of children, aged about 11 and 12, but some looked as young as nine.
"If youngsters continue to ignore the risks, there is another accident waiting to happen. They are aware of the risks and yet they are still taking their lives into their hands every time they walk on the track."
David Hagin was killed after being hit by a Wessex Trains' sprinter service travelling from Penzance to Temple Meads on September 23.
Tributes were left at the station after his death, many from friends at Ashton Park secondary school, where David was a pupil.
His parents remain too upset to speak about their son's death.
In a statement issued by the British Transport Police, they said: "David was a gentle boy, always caring about other children at school. He was a lovely child and a sensitive boy who loved his family.
"He will be greatly missed by all."
The case has now been handed to the coroner, who has yet to fix a date for a hearing to determine the cause of death.
Police investigators say David's death was a "tragic accident".
Any residents and train passengers who spot children playing on the tracks at Bedminster station - or anywhere else - are being urged to report the incident to Inspector MacDonald at the British Transport Police on 0800 405 040.
CHILDREN PLAY GAME OF DEATH
Police have issued a warning after children were spotted playing football on the tracks at Bedminster railway station - just weeks after a 12-year-old schoolboy was killed by a train. British Transport Police have urged parents to take more responsibility for their youngsters and fear that if they continue to "play" on the lines then it will only be a matter of time before another tragic accident happens.
Children as young as nine have been seen messing around on the tracks, officers say.
David Hagin, of Mendip Road, Bedminster, described by his parents as a "gentle, caring and sensitive boy", was killed by a train at the same station only last month.
It is unclear why he was on the track, although there is no suggestion that he had been playing on the line.
But officers say children in the area appear not to have learned any lessons from the tragedy.
They are regularly seen running across the tracks in front of trains.
Inspector Ian MacDonald said: "Parents need to take responsibility for what their children get up to.
"The whole community is aware of what happened only a few weeks ago and the ordeal is still very fresh in their minds, and yet their children are playing on the railway lines.
"A few days ago a train had to make an emergency stop when the driver spotted children playing football on the tracks up in front of him.
"There was a group of children, aged about 11 and 12, but some looked as young as nine.
"If youngsters continue to ignore the risks, there is another accident waiting to happen. They are aware of the risks and yet they are still taking their lives into their hands every time they walk on the track."
David Hagin was killed after being hit by a Wessex Trains' sprinter service travelling from Penzance to Temple Meads on September 23.
Tributes were left at the station after his death, many from friends at Ashton Park secondary school, where David was a pupil.
His parents remain too upset to speak about their son's death.
In a statement issued by the British Transport Police, they said: "David was a gentle boy, always caring about other children at school. He was a lovely child and a sensitive boy who loved his family.
"He will be greatly missed by all."
The case has now been handed to the coroner, who has yet to fix a date for a hearing to determine the cause of death.
Police investigators say David's death was a "tragic accident".
Any residents and train passengers who spot children playing on the tracks at Bedminster station - or anywhere else - are being urged to report the incident to Inspector MacDonald at the British Transport Police on 0800 405 040.