An 11-year-old boy who died after being struck by a train at a level crossing is believed to have been distracted by his mobile phone, according to an official investigation.

Jaiden Shehata was on his way to school on 23 January when he was hit by a Southern train travelling at 50mph (80km/h) at the Bourneview footpath crossing near Kenley in south London, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said. The crossing, like many footpaths, has no warning lights or barriers, and users are expected to stop, look, listen, and decide when it is safe to cross.

Investigators said CCTV footage appeared to show Jaiden approaching the crossing while looking ahead and down at a "glowing object" almost certainly the illuminated screen of his phone, with his coat hood pulled over his head. Analysis of his phone suggests a video clip was playing at the time of the accident. After spotting Jaiden entering the crossing, the train driver sounded the horn and applied the emergency brake, but Jaiden did not have enough time to move clear.

The RAIB concluded the accident occurred because Jaiden did not perceive the risk associated with the train, likely due to distraction from his phone. Jaiden, a pupil at nearby Riddlesdown Collegiate secondary school, had regularly used the crossing on his journeys to and from school since starting there in September 2024. Network Rail’s most recent risk assessment in May 2023 documented six near misses at the site between November 2018 and February 2023, alongside a previous fatality in March 2020 that was recorded as deliberate.

The RAIB has recommended that UK school curriculum setters work with railway infrastructure managers to introduce "targeted and locally relevant railway safety lessons to pupils of all ages". It also made two recommendations for Network Rail, in partnership with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB): to make dangerous areas at level crossings more noticeable, particularly for distracted users, and to consider whether different approaches to "risk mitigation" at these sites are needed for younger users.

An RSSB spokesperson said: "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: "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."

Image: Rail Accident Investigation Branch