Girls killed at train crossing 'confused by warning lights'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two teenage girls were killed as they dashed over a level crossing to catch a train yesterday.
The pair, both aged 14, had just bought tickets for a trip to Cambridge and could see other passengers boarding their train on a platform at Elsenham in Essex. The girls stepped on to the foot-crossing into the path of a train speeding towards the station at 70mph, despite a red warning light.
One theory is that the girls may have mistakenly assumed the warning signal applied to the train they wanted to catch. British Transport Police said they were treating the deaths as a "tragic accident".
One of the girls was named last night as Olivia Bazlinton, who had celebrated her birthday less than a week earlier. Her devastated father, Chris, said: "Olivia was a very lively girl who had a great sense of fun and lived life to the full."
The crossing uses red and green lights to inform pedestrians when it is safe to open the gates. Cliff Bishop, who runs a nearby shop, said: "In the week, when the commuters are there, there is quite a crowd of people waiting to open them and I should think there must be quite a few near misses."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments