Mum of boy killed at Taunton rail crossing calls for change

The mother of a boy killed on a pedestrian railway crossing is calling for urgent safety improvements to “stop others going through” the same.

Harry Basham, 17, was struck by a train in Taunton, Somerset just before 07:00 GMT on 24 October as he walked to work.

His mum Leanne Golding wants to see changes before her son’s inquest takes place in May, saying “lighting needs to be in place, a traffic light system and gates that lock”.

Network Rail has described what happened as a “tragic accident” and said it will “engage with local authorities, stakeholders and the community on the future of the crossing”.

Golding said her son would have walked across the foot crossing “hundreds of times” to get to and from work.

“It would have been pitch black that morning, nothing is lit up. The gates don’t lock, you don’t know when the train’s coming.

“We’re not here to blame anyone, we just don’t want it to happen to anyone else,” she added.

Network Rail said train drivers were instructed to sound their horn at some crossings and it urged people to be alert.

Trackside signs, known as whistle boards, instruct train drivers to warn pedestrians they are approaching, but Golding said the family were not sure at what time in the morning drivers start sounding their horns.

A petition calling for safety improvements at the crossing has been set up on Change.org by family friend Vicky Butland.

“I just hugely believe it would have prevented this tragedy if these safety measures were in place.

“I am doing this in Harry’s name. It’s a huge loss of life and we will forever remember him,” she added.

The family’s campaign is being supported by the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington Gideon Amos.

“Ideally I would like to see an alternative crossing, an underpass or a footbridge.

“I am meeting with Network Rail next week so that we can discuss what the options are,” Amos added.

In a statement, Network Rail said: “Our thoughts are with Harry’s family and friends and the local community following the tragic accident at the 5/13 railway crossing.

“Network Rail will of course co-operate with the inquest and any relevant investigations as is appropriate,” it added.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said it sent a team of inspectors to the scene at the time of the incident.

A spokesperson added: “RAIB has submitted a report summarising the evidence gathered during our preliminary examination to His Majesty’s Coroner.

“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic accident,” they added.