Media centre

Thursday 27 Jul 2006

TRAGIC REMINDER OF TRESPASS DANGER

Region & Route:

As the school holidays begin, Network Rail and the parents of a teenager killed on the railway last year are issuing a warning to young people in Derbyshire to stay away from the tracks. Sean Gillespie was 15 when he was killed taking a shortcut across the railway in Spondon, Derby. His mother, Mrs Gillespie said:” I miss my son everyday and I am doing this for him as much as for other children and parents. I don’t want other parents to ever be in the same position as me. It’s important that parents get their children to understand the message that railways aren’t shortcuts or playgrounds – it really is a matter of life or death.” In Derbyshire this month alone there have been 14 incidents of trespass and vandalism: taking shortcuts, stone throwing at trains and placing objects on the track. These all have potentially drastic consequences to individuals, passengers and train drivers. Trains travel at up to 125 mph, they can’t swerve out of the way, and they take the length of 20 football pitches to stop in an emergency. Tom Birch, Network Rail’s Area General Manager for the East Midlands said: “Sean’s death is a tragic example of what can happen when you trespass on the railway. Sean’s death is one too many, it is vitally important that young people take heed of the message from this tragic story.” Mrs Gillespie adds “As the first anniversary of Sean’s death is approaching it is upsetting to know a further four children died as a result of trespassing on the railway last year. I don’t want Sean’s death to be for nothing, I need something good to come out of such a bad thing. My message is this simple: trespassing could cost your life. Stay away from the railway this summer.”