Scotland: Boy dies after being hit by train

[John Ashworth]

Boy dies after being hit by train

Page last updated at 05:50 GMT, Monday, 24 August 2009 06:50 UK
BBC

A teenage boy has died after falling from a bridge and being struck by a train in Glasgow.

It is believed the 14-year-old was with friends on Sunday afternoon, when he fell through overhead electrical wires near Hillington West station.

The train to Ardrossan Harbour had been travelling at 75mph.

British Transport Police said the train driver had seen someone on the track, but was unable to stop in time. An investigation is under way.


Boy aged 14 dies after being hit by 75mph train in horror plunge onto rail line

Aug 24 2009 Chris Musson
Daily Record

A BOY of 14 died last night after falling on to rail power lines and plunging to the track.

Witnesses said Liam Hilton was hit by a 75mph train after he suffered a massive electric shock.

Horrified pals told how the popular teenager had been clambering along a metal stanchion under a road bridge when the tragedy happened.

Locals near the scene on Penilee Road, about 600 yards from Glasgow's Hillington West rail station, reported hearing a bang.

It's believed Liam fell on to the electrical lines as a train approached and was hit by a second train when he landed on the track.

Last night, as police began an investigation, residents said it had been an "accident waiting to happen".

One woman said: "The kids all sit under the bridge. It's their den. God knows why it's not properly sealed off."

One girl, aged 13, who claimed she often sits under the bridge, said: "There's a wall there but the way it is, it's like a ladder.

"It's really easy to get down and then climb up and under the bridge, like Liam was doing."

A relative said Liam's mum Janice, dad John and sister Lisa were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Janice was taken to hospital by ambulance last night after collapsing at the family home, just 200 yards from the railway bridge.

Dozens of pals gathered to pay tribute to Liam at the scene.

One said: "Everyone around here knew him. He was just the funniest guy you'd ever meet."

British Transport Police said Liam had been hit by the 4.55pm Glasgow to Ardrossan Harbour train.

All services on the busy route were suspended last night as the scene was cordoned off.

Officials from Network Rail, who are responsible for securing the railways, were at the scene.

A transport police spokeswoman said Liam's death was being treated as "unexplained" until further investigations were carried out.

She added: "The driver of the train was travelling at 75mph, saw a person on the track and applied the emergency brake but was unable to stop in time."