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Rail death girl 'made rescue bid' Rail death girl 'made rescue bid'
(1 day later)
A teenager was killed on a level crossing while trying to save a friend who jumped clear, it is believed.A teenager was killed on a level crossing while trying to save a friend who jumped clear, it is believed.
The 16-year-old, who has not yet been formally named by police, was hit by a train at 85mph (136km/h) on Friday night at Pencoed station near Bridgend. Sophie Harris, 16, was hit by a train at 85mph (136km/h) on Friday night at Pencoed station near Bridgend.
Her mother said: "She was trying to save someone's life who was on the line. Then the train came.Her mother said: "She was trying to save someone's life who was on the line. Then the train came.
"She was oblivious to it, didn't know what was going on and she was hit by the train." "She was oblivious to it, didn't know what was going on and she was hit by the train." The friend was unhurt after she managed to jump clear in time.
The friend was unhurt after she managed to jump clear in time.
The family are not naming the girl, 13, and described her as "distraught".The family are not naming the girl, 13, and described her as "distraught".
The 16-year-old was hit by a Swansea-bound train at 2150 BST on Friday. Sophie, who was from the Bridgend area, was hit by a Swansea-bound train at 2150 BST on Friday.
Police said they were still unable to formally name the girl, who came from the Bridgend area.
The incident involved the 1915 London Paddington service, which had been travelling at 85mph (136km/h).The incident involved the 1915 London Paddington service, which had been travelling at 85mph (136km/h).
British Transport Police said the girl's death appeared to be a "tragic accident" and an investigation was under way.British Transport Police said the girl's death appeared to be a "tragic accident" and an investigation was under way.
One of our operators saw it all and saw a boy throw the phone onto the line Jack Walby, taxi driverOne of our operators saw it all and saw a boy throw the phone onto the line Jack Walby, taxi driver
They said the train driver saw someone on the crossing, sounded his horn and applied the emergency brakes but was unable to stop.They said the train driver saw someone on the crossing, sounded his horn and applied the emergency brakes but was unable to stop.
The train, with some 50 passengers on board, came to a halt just past Pencoed station.The train, with some 50 passengers on board, came to a halt just past Pencoed station.
Flowers and tributes have been left next to the level crossing.Flowers and tributes have been left next to the level crossing.
The girl who died was the eldest of four children and had just left school. Sophie was the eldest of four children and had just left school.
A 17-year-old friend described her as "a lovely girl".A 17-year-old friend described her as "a lovely girl".
"Everyone knew her and she was really popular," she said."Everyone knew her and she was really popular," she said.
The train came to a halt just past Pencoed station
"It would be just like her to try to save someone in trouble. Her friend was in a terrible state.""It would be just like her to try to save someone in trouble. Her friend was in a terrible state."
Eye-witnesses told police how a mobile phone had been thrown onto the line by a boy.Eye-witnesses told police how a mobile phone had been thrown onto the line by a boy.
Taxi driver Jack Walby, 65, whose office is just yards away from the level crossing, said: "A phone was on the track and a girl climbed over the barrier on the level crossing to reach it.Taxi driver Jack Walby, 65, whose office is just yards away from the level crossing, said: "A phone was on the track and a girl climbed over the barrier on the level crossing to reach it.
"But as she was there the train came along and hit her. It is the main London line and the trains are very fast.""But as she was there the train came along and hit her. It is the main London line and the trains are very fast."
"Her friends had been making a lot of noise and messing around. One of our operators saw it all and saw a boy throw the phone onto the line.""Her friends had been making a lot of noise and messing around. One of our operators saw it all and saw a boy throw the phone onto the line."
Temporary Detective Inspector Mark Cleland added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious and appears to have been a tragic accident."Temporary Detective Inspector Mark Cleland added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious and appears to have been a tragic accident."
CamerasCameras
According to Bridgend county councillor and Pencoed town councillor Richard Williams, there had been repeated questions raised over the safety of the rail barrier after it was automated a number of years ago.According to Bridgend county councillor and Pencoed town councillor Richard Williams, there had been repeated questions raised over the safety of the rail barrier after it was automated a number of years ago.
"It is true to say there have been concerns on the town council regarding the safety of this crossing and the reason for that is that some people, particularly elderly people, have found the gates coming down when they are still crossing."It is true to say there have been concerns on the town council regarding the safety of this crossing and the reason for that is that some people, particularly elderly people, have found the gates coming down when they are still crossing.
"I did go to the control centre in Port Talbot to see what they could see on the screen because there are cameras at the level crossing," he said."I did go to the control centre in Port Talbot to see what they could see on the screen because there are cameras at the level crossing," he said.
He called for a thorough investigation by the police and extended condolences to the victim's family and friends and also to those who witnessed the incident. He called for a thorough investigation by the police and extended condolences to Sophie's family and friends and also to those who witnessed the incident.
A Network Rail spokesman said: "The train was going at full line speed. There was nothing the driver could do.A Network Rail spokesman said: "The train was going at full line speed. There was nothing the driver could do.
"The level crossing barriers had come down so they were working safely and the driver could not stop.""The level crossing barriers had come down so they were working safely and the driver could not stop."
The spokesman line was closed until just before midnight to allow an examination of the scene to be carried out. The spokesman said the line was closed until just before midnight to allow an examination of the scene to be carried out.
One service was cancelled and another service was terminated early.One service was cancelled and another service was terminated early.