Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – An investigation found 11-year-old Jaiden Shehata from Croydon was distracted by a phone video before being struck by a train on his way to school.
At the Bourneview path crossing close to Kenley, Jaiden Shehata, a Time 7 pupil at Riddlesdown Collegiate in South Croydon, was hit while he was making his way to the academy.
Since Jaiden passed away on January 23 at roughly 8.03 a.m., the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has been looking into the woeful event. A Southern train traveling at roughly fifty long hauls per hour struck him.
The motorist blew the cornucopia and engaged the emergency stop when he saw Jaiden begin to cross the road. Jaiden responded by looking up, but he was too late to get out of the way before the train arrived at the crossing.
Following Jaiden’s end, the secondary academy off of Honister Heights shuttered for a day of mourning. He was well-liked and a reputed member of the academy community, according to a homage that was put up on the academy’s website at the time.
It reads:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jaiden Shehata, one of our students. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Jaiden was a kind and popular student and a valued member of Riddlesdown Collegiate. We know the loss is being felt by many and we are doing everything we can to support his friends, family and the wider student and staff community at this difficult time.”
About 207 meters past the crossing, the train halted and struck Jaiden, injuring him fatally. According to the RAIB, the incident occurred because he was “distracted” by his phone and unable to see the danger posed by the train.
CCTV footage, according to investigators, shows Jaiden approaching the crossing while pulling his coat hood over his head and gazing down at a “glowing object” that is almost definitely the lit screen of a phone in his hands.
The expectation is that users will pause, listen and look for trains approaching, and “make their own decision about whether or not it is safe to cross.” Six near-misses occurred between November 30, 2018, and February 9, 2023, according to Network Rail’s most current risk assessment of the site, which was completed in May 2023.
In March 2020, there was one recorded fatality that was the result of a purposeful act. In order to provide “targeted and locally relevant railway safety lessons to pupils of all ages,” the RAIB has advised curriculum developers for UK schools to collaborate with managers of railway infrastructure.
In collaboration with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), an industry association, it also offered two suggestions for Network Rail.
An RSSB spokesperson said:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and all those affected by the tragic death of Jaiden Shehata. We welcome publication of the RAIB investigation. Ensuring safety at level crossings remains a key priority for RSSB and the rail industry, and we will be working collaboratively to consider and implement the RAIB’s recommendations.”
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said:
“The thoughts of everyone in the rail industry remain with Jaiden’s loved ones, the pupils of Riddlesdown Collegiate, and the local community. There are no words sufficient to express our sorrow after such a loss. We are taking significant steps to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. Following close work with Croydon Council, the crossing was temporarily closed on August 11. In December, we’ll be installing miniature stop lights to improve safety by providing a clear signal and warning sound to let people know when it is safe to cross. We are studying the RAIB report carefully and will act on its recommendations.”
What safety measures are being added at the Bourneview footpath crossing?
Installation of Atomic Stop Lights (MSLs), which give a visual warning of approaching trains through red/ green colour lights and an audible tone, waking climbers when it’s safe to cross. Pedestrian diversions have been put in place to route climbers safely via near islands while installation work is carried out.
Network Rail and Croydon Council are exploring options for a step-free crossing at Kenley Station to improve vacuity, especially for those with mobility challenges. These measures follow Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) findings that the crossing was unresistant (lacking active warning systems) and did not adequately handle the pitfall, particularly for youth rovers who might be distracted.
Efforts are also concentrated on adding community education about safe use of position crossings, especially in seminaries and among parents.
