Probe launched after rail tragedy

From the archive, first published Friday 6th Apr 2007.

An investigation has been launched after a teenager was hit by a train and killed.

The 19-year-old man was walking with a 21-year-old woman when they were struck by the Northern Rail train near Wyke Tunnel, Bradford.

The pair sustained serious head injuries and the man was pronounced dead at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The woman, who has not been named, is still seriously ill in Bradford Royal Infirmary.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "At the moment we are just investigating into why it has happened and we are hoping to speak to the female once she is available."

The pair, believed to be from the Bradford area but not from the immediate locality, were on a very dangerous section of track known as a Red Area where there is no room for a train to pass a pedestrian safely.

The driver of the train reported the incident at 5pm yesterday, sparking a major operation from the emergency services involving police, ambulance crews, the fire service and a police helicopter.

At the scene Sgt Rob Pedley said: "We have no indication as to why they were on this dangerous part of track, or how they got there. All the fencing is intact.

"We are appealing for witnesses that may have seen a couple in the area after 4pm yesterday.

"After the incident, our prime concern was first aid to the casualties. The report came from the train driver."

The line did not reopen until 8.30pm when investigators had finished their examination of the scene.

Station Road, which runs between Wyke and Norwood Green, was also cordoned off by police for more than three hours as investigations were carried out.

Trains between Bradford Interchange and Halifax were cancelled during this period, with passengers advised to travel via Leeds or by bus.

Nearby residents said it was not unusual for people - especially children - to play around near that section of line.

Jean Tailford, of Green Lane, Wyke, said: "Kids are always playing around down there. It's near Judy Woods, so any children who have been out for a walk with their parents will know the railway line is there. The track runs alongside the road and you can see the trains."

Susan Tailford, also of Green Lane, said: "It's shocking to hear what's happened. We saw the helicopter overhead hanging around for an aerial view.

"I gather it's quite easy to get on to the track down there because there's a gate people can climb over."

A Northern Rail spokesman confirmed the 3.44pm departure from Selby to Wakefield Westgate had hit two people near Wyke Tunnel shortly after it had left Bradford Interchange and that the incident had caused "significant disruption."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405060.