Petition launched after 17-year-old killed at pedestrian rail crossing

A call has been made for urgent safety upgrades at a pedestrian railway crossing in Taunton following the death of 17-year-old Harry Basham. He was struck by a train just before 07:00 GMT on 24 October as he walked to work, and his mother says changes must now be made to “stop others going through” the same experience. She is hoping improvements will be introduced before his inquest in May.

Harry’s mum, Leanne Golding, said her son regularly used the crossing on his daily commute and had walked over it “hundreds of times” to get to and from work. She believes better protection is needed and has called for lighting, a traffic-light style warning system and gates that can lock. She also described the conditions on the morning of the incident and stressed that her family’s intention is not to place blame, but to prevent future tragedies.

Leanne Golding said:

"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"

Network Rail has described the incident as a “tragic accident” and said it will “engage with local authorities, stakeholders and the community on the future of the crossing”. It added that drivers are instructed to sound their horns at some crossings and urged people to stay alert near the tracks. Whistle boards are positioned trackside to indicate where horns should be sounded, although Golding said the family are unsure at what time in the morning drivers begin using them.

A petition seeking safety improvements has been launched on Change.org by family friend Vicky Butland, who believes additional measures could have prevented the fatality and is campaigning in Harry’s name.

Vicky said:

"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"

The campaign has also received support from Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, who wants alternatives such as an underpass or footbridge to be explored and is due to meet Network Rail to discuss possible options.

Gideon said:

"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."

In a statement, Network Rail offered its condolences to those affected and confirmed it will cooperate fully with formal proceedings.

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"

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said inspectors were sent to the scene at the time of the incident, and that a preliminary report has been submitted to His Majesty’s Coroner.

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."

Image: Gideon Amos MP