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Wednesday 12 Oct 2022

VIDEO: “We don’t want another family to experience what we have been through” – bereaved parents urge others to talk to their children about dangers of trespassing on railway as cases surge in South

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

The parents of a young boy who was electrocuted on the railway have launched a new rail safety campaign film in conjunction with British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry.

Harrison’s Story tells the story of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne, who tragically lost his life when he was electrocuted by overhead power cables after straying into a rail freight depot to retrieve a lost football. There was nothing his friends or paramedics could do to save him. Harrison died at the scene. 

Harrison lived in a small village, not served by a railway station. His mother, Liz Ballantyne, said: “I had never realised that I needed to educate my children about the dangers of the railway as I never realised how close the railway was.” 

Harrison’s Story is part of the You vs Train campaign, which aims to educate people about the dangers, both obvious and hidden, that are present on the railway and in doing so, deter trespassing. 

Trespass is a huge problem on the railway with thousands of incidents recorded each year. Nationally, the number of trespass incidents hit 19,408 last year, the highest number recorded for five years. 25% of all those incidents involved young people under the age of 18. 

Railway tracks in the South of England are mostly powered by live rails at ground level, sometimes called the third rail, rather than overhead wires. 

Jon Ruch, Network Rail Southern region’s head of security crime and resilience, said: “Our railway in the South is mostly powered by the live rail, which puts 750 Volts at ground level, and it is always on. That’s three times as much as the electricity in your home and more than enough to kill.  Add to that the danger of trains running at up to 100mph, and it’s clear the railway is no place for anyone to be. 

“We’ve seen trespass events double over the last 5 years, resulting in significant delay to train services but more importantly, bringing with them a significant risk of death or life changing injury to those that do. 

“Harrison’s Story is a tragic reminder of why it is vitally important that we all know about rail safety and the devastating potential impact that trespass can have, not only on the trespasser – who risks serious life-changing, if not fatal injury - but also on their friends and family, and the wider community. 

“I urge people to watch this film, understand the risks, make the right decisions and stay away from the railway lines. Help us to keep you and your loved ones safe.” 

Superintendent Alison Evans said: "Telling Harrison's tragic story highlights how, by educating ourselves and others, we can make the railway a safer place. The hazards of trespassing on the railway are countless - trains travel at high speed and unlike cars, can't swerve to avoid people. You can't tell when the next train is approaching. 

"The third rail looks just like an ordinary rail, but it carries 750 volts. The DC current that flows through it is three times as powerful as your home electricity. I can't emphasise enough how important it is to watch this film and spread the word - it might just save a life and avoid the devastation endured by Harrison's parents." 

Harrison’s Story will be pushed out across social media and used as part of the rail industry’s school’s engagement programme. 

 To learn more about the You vs Train campaign, visit www.youvstrain.co.uk 

Harrison’s Story has had a profound impact on the rail industry, especially as his case resulted in an investigation by the industry regulator – the Office for Rail and Road. Harrison’s family have collaborated with the rail industry to create another film, building upon Harrison’s Story, which will be used as a training tool to provide guidance on how to improve risk management processes. A huge amount of work has taken place in the rail industry since Harrison’s death and the film highlights the progress that has been made, as well as serving as a reminder of the tragic consequences if things go wrong.