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A girl has died after falling between a carriage and the platform at a Liverpool railway station, apparently while running after a train.

Georgia Varley, 16, of Wallasey, Wirral, died at Liverpool James Street station late on Saturday night, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Police believe she had been running to catch a train home that had friends and family on board.

Some bystanders needed treatment for shock after witnessing her death.

About 40 passengers were on the platform at the time of the incident, which involved the 23:01 BST Merseyrail service to West Kirby.

It is thought Georgia had been on a night out.

BTP said Ms Varley fell between a train and the platform and was killed as the train left the station.

A Merseyrail employee has been interviewed by police over the death of a teenage girl at a Merseyside station.

Georgia Varley, 16, was killed when she fell between a train and the platform at James Street station on 22 October.

The teenager from Wallasey had been celebrating at an 18th birthday party with friends before the incident.

British Transport Police interviewed a 44-year-old man under caution and released him on bail until 11 January. Merseyrail said it had suspended him.

A Merseyrail spokesman said: "Merseyrail and its staff will continue to co-operate fully with British Transport Police to ensure that the full facts are established as soon as possible so that Georgia's family and friends can find answers to exactly what happened and help them to come to terms with their loss.

"We extend our deepest sympathy to Georgia's family and friends at this difficult time."

He said that the employee had been suspended on full pay.

Man charged following death of Georgia Varley at James Street rail station, Liverpool

A 44-year-old man from Wallasey has today, Friday 3 February, been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates^ Court on 23 February.

The charge relates to an incident at James Street rail station, Liverpool, on 22 October 2011, in which a 16-year-old girl suffered fatal injuries.

Merseyrail guard charged with manslaughter over Georgia Varley James Street station death

A Merseyrail guard will appear in court charged with manslaughter over the death of Wirral teenager Georgia Varley at a Liverpool train station.

Georgia, 16, from Moreton, was killed in October when she slipped between a train and the platform at James Street station.

The Birkenhead Sixth Form College pupil was part of a large group of youngsters who left an 18th birthday party in Hoylake and were heading into the city centre when tragedy struck.

A 44-year-old guard was suspended almost immediately and yesterday British Transport Police announced they had pressed charges following a three month investigation.

Christopher James McGee, of Edenhurst Avenue, Wallasey, will appear at Liverpool magistrates court later this month accused of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Friends who saw what happened said Georgia mistakenly stepped off the train a stop too soon and bent down to put on the shoes she had taken off.

By the time she stood up and realised her mistake the doors had closed behind her as the train prepared to move off.

A friend called through the window to tell her to stand back and they would go back for her, but her inquest heard how CCTV footage captured her leaning against the train.

Georgia was then seen moving along the platform, possibly clinging to the train, before falling down the gap, where she died.

Friends on board described the emergency brakes going on as the train pulled away from the station and an announcement in the carriages which said: ^Stay calm, we have hit someone.^

Georgia^s dad, Paul Varley, and friends have since begun to campaign for safety gates to be installed in Merseyrail stations to make sure such a tragedy cannot happen again.

A BTP spokesman said: ^A 44-year-old man from Wallasey has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates^ Court on February 23.

^The charge relates to an incident at James Street rail station, Liverpool, on October 22 2011, in which a 16-year-old girl suffered fatal injuries.^

A Merseyrail spokesman confirmed the accused was an employee of the company.

Dad of tragic Georgia Varley faces rail guard accused in Liverpool court

The father of a schoolgirl killed when she fell beneath a train has come face-to-face with the rail guard accused of her manslaughter.

Christopher McGee, 45, was arrested and suspended from his job with Merseyrail following the death of 16 year-old Georgia Varley at an underground station.

The "popular and beautiful" A-level pupil allegedly tried to get back on a Merseyrail train at James Street station in Liverpool on a half-term night out on October 22nd last year.

Tragic Georgia is thought to have left the train before her friends at the wrong station and tried to board again but slipped and fell beneath the Liverpool to West Kirby service.

Around 40 commuters were on the train platform at the city centre station when Georgia Varley died and some of them were treated for shock and offered counselling.

McGee, from Wallasey, Wirral, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court accused of manslaughter by gross negligence. He did not enter a plea and spoke only to confirm his name and address.

The court heard through defence counsel Mr Cassidy that Mr McGee would fully contest the charge of unlawful killing and was "sincerely" sorry that Georgia had died.

Mr Cassidy said: "Mr McGee would like to take this opportunity to sincerely express his condolences to the family of friends of Georgia Varley."

District Judge Richard Clancy reffered the case to crown court until 8th March and asked anxious McGee if he understood the "serious nature" of the charge of unlawful killing. He said: "Due to the serious nature of this incident I am referring this case to the crown court and you will be released on condition of the bail."

The tall rail guard stood nervously in the witness stand and nodded before leaving with an entourage who flanked him as he left the building.

Paul Varley, from New Brighton on Wirral, was comforted by a group of six friends and family as the man accused of causing his daughter's death was released on bail.

Georgia Varley death: Christopher McGee, Merseyrail guard, blamed in court

A Merseyrail guard charged with the manslaughter of a teenager at a station was the only person who could have prevented her death, a court has heard.

Georgia Varley, 16, from Wallasey, Wirral, died when she fell between the carriage and platform at Liverpool's James Street station in October 2011.

The city's crown court heard she was very drunk and had taken mephedrone.

Christopher McGee, 45, who gave the signal to start the train, denies manslaughter by gross negligence.

The court heard Georgia had been at a birthday party in Wirral and had travelled on the Merseyrail train into Liverpool before the incident happened at about 23:00 GMT on 22 October.

Opening the case, the prosecution said she had been drinking and had the drug mephedrone in her system.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of Georgia standing on the platform at James Street station with her hands on the train. The footage then showed her falling as the train pulled away.

The prosecution said Mr McGee gave the signal to start the train when he could not have failed to realise Georgia was in contact with the train and was inebriated.

The court heard Mr McGee must have already known Georgia was drunk as he had seen her and a friend get off the train and back on again at Meols station, on the way to Liverpool.

The prosecution said he was the only person with the capability to prevent the situation which led to her death.

The jury heard Mr McGee told colleagues and the police he thought Georgia was moving away from the train when he gave the driver the signal to go.

But in his defence statement, he said it could be reasonably anticipated that she would move away as the train started to move.

The trial continues.

The trial continues.

Georgia Varley rail death: Guard thought she was not in danger

A Merseyrail guard accused of causing the death of a teenager who fell under a train did not know she was in danger, Liverpool Crown Court has heard.

Georgia Varley, 16, from Moreton, Wirral, died when she fell between the carriage and platform at Liverpool's James Street station in October 2011.

The court heard she was drunk and was leaning on the side of the carriage when the train began to depart.

Guard Christopher McGee, 45, denies manslaughter.

Mr McGee, of Edenhurst Avenue, Wallasey, who gave the signal for the train to set off, also denies failing to take reasonable care contrary to the Health and Safety at work Act. He said he believed Georgia was moving away from the train when he gave the signal for the driver to depart.

Cross-examined by Nick Johnson QC for the prosecution Mr McGee said: "She looked like she was talking through the window or banging on the window."

Mr Johnson said CCTV showed Georgia was leaning against the carriage.

"I thought she was moving away," the defendant replied. "I didn't think she was in any danger."

Earlier, the court heard that Georgia had gone into Liverpool for a night out with her friends. A blood analysis following her death showed she had 236mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood and the drug mephedrone in her system at the time of her death. The alcohol limit for driving is 80mg per 100ml.

CCTV footage shown to the jury showed Georgia mistakenly getting off the train just before 23:30 GMT on 22 October last year, before turning around and leaning against the side as she realised her friends were still on board. The footage then showed her falling as the train pulled away.

Mr McGee told the court he did not know how drunk Georgia had been. He said: "If I had known she was drunk I would have got her friends to look after her, but I didn't know."

The trial continues.

Georgia Varley train death: Guard guilty over rail death fall

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Georgia Varley fell between the train and the platform at James Street

A Merseyrail guard has been found guilty of causing the death of a 16-year-old girl who died after falling under a train at a Liverpool station.

Georgia Varley died when she fell between the carriage and platform at James Street station in October 2011.

Christopher McGee, 45, had denied manslaughter but was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court. He signalled for the driver to depart as Miss Varley, who was drunk, stood on the platform leaning against the train.

The prosecution said McGee should have been able to see that she was in an "intoxicated state". But he told the jury he thought the sixth form student was moving away from the train when he gave the signal to depart. He also said he did not know how drunk she had been.

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Christopher McGee was found guilty of causing the death of Georgia Varley

McGee, of Wallasey, Wirral, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and the jury was then discharged from reaching a verdict in an alternative, lesser charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Miss Varley, from Moreton, Wirral, had been at a house party before she went into Liverpool for a night out with her friends when the tragedy happened on 22 October last year. A blood analysis following her death showed she had 236mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system - the legal driving limit is 80mg. She also had the drug mephedrone in her system at the time of her death.

During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage of the moments before the teenager's death. The footage showed Miss Varley mistakenly getting off the train just before 23:30 BST, before turning around and leaning against the side as she realised her friends were still on board. She was then seen to stagger and fall down the gap as the train moved off, before stopping after travelling about 30ft (9m).

Mr Justice Holroyde said he would pass sentence at 10:00 BST on Thursday. He remanded McGee in custody saying it was a "very serious offence" and said he faces a sentence of imprisonment.

Speaking outside court, Miss Varley's mother, Paula Redmond, 41, said: "Christopher McGee will complete his sentence and return to his family. Mine is now gone forever.

"We have listened as our daughter was portrayed as being a drunken liability when, in all honesty, she did no more than what many teenagers do of a weekend - she went out to celebrate her friend's birthday.

"The only liability that night was a train guard whom Georgia had the catastrophic misfortune to encounter.

"For he had very little, if any, regard at all for our daughter and her safety."

Ms Redmond said her daughter was "an absolute joy to be around".

"To say she was a wonderful, amazing daughter would be a massive understatement," she added.

As a verdict has now been passed, I will also pass my opinion.  To say I am shocked with the verdict is an understatement.  In particular, I find the second paragraph of this quote disturbing.  How many teenagers lean on trains as they are ready to depart on a typical weekend?

Although I do as a fellow guard have sympathy, however if we DO NOT do our job correctly, we leave ourselves open to a worst case scenario, and this sadly is what happened, to be proved Guilty of such a serious crime of Manslaughter would mean that there would have to be shown multiple accounts of the procedures NOT being followed, not just a mistake at one stop. with OTMR and CCTV we are constantly monitored officially or not and we are paid to do our job correctly, obviously the parents of the child who sadly died (and yes she was still a child) should take a of responsibilty for their daughters actions that led to this horrible horrible accident but sadly for the guard we have a duty of care and through not following procedures he did not show duty of care.

I do have sympathy for both parties, however they were both at serious fault and sadly again one paid with her life and the guard will have to live with it for the rest of his life.

No one can ever win in a situation like this

It is not illegal for a 16 year old to drink alcohol: it is illegal for them to buy alcohol.

Miss Varley, from Moreton, Wirral, had been at a house party before she went into Liverpool for a night out with her friends when the tragedy happened on 22 October last year. A blood analysis following her death showed she had 236mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system - the legal driving limit is 80mg. She also had the drug mephedrone in her system at the time of her death.

Children under 5 must not be given alcohol unless under medical supervision or in an emergency (Children and Young Persons Act 1933, Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937).
Between the ages of 5 and 17, it is legally permissible for children to drink alcohol at home or at a friend's house with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
The minimum age for the purchase of alcohol is 18. People aged 16 or 17 may consume wine, beer or cider on licensed premises when ordered with a meal. In England and Wales, it must be an adult who orders; however, an adult doesn't have to be present to order alcohol with a meal in Scotland. The legal age for the purchase of alcohol from an off-licence (store/supermarket) is 18. (The legal age to buy liqueur chocolates is 16, but this is rarely enforced.)
Under the BBPA's Challenge 21 scheme, customers attempting to buy alcoholic beverages are asked to prove their age if in the retailer's opinion they look under 21 even though the law states they must be a minimum of 18. Many supermarket and off-licence chains display Challenge 21 notices stating that they will not serve persons who look under 21 without ID.
Supermarkets or off-licence chains that are found to have violated the law and have repeatedly sold alcohol to underage persons are then required to adopt the Challenge 25 scheme. Failing to adhere to this will result in revocation of the licence to sell alcohol. (Challenge 25 is standard procedure in Scotland and the main supermarket chains.)
Purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor is illegal in all of the United Kingdom. This means acting as the young person's agent.

British Transport Police Statement - Georgia Varley

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Taylor said: "Today's verdict brings to a close a year-long investigation which has been extremely difficult for all involved. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this case to court.

"I would also like to thank Georgia's family for the strength and courage they have shown during the traumatic events of the past 12 months.

"Georgia died in tragic circumstances and it is right and proper that the details surrounding her death were examined by a court and jury.

"Train guards sometimes work in extremely challenging circumstances, but it is important to remember they have a duty of care to those who travel on their rail services.

"When this duty of care is not satisfactorily met, it is our duty to present the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who, where necessary, refer the matter to the courts.

"I hope, following today's verdict, Georgia's family can now gain some sense of closure and begin to put their lives back together."

Georgia Varley train fall death: Guard jailed for manslaughter

A railway guard has been jailed for five years for causing the death of a 16-year-old girl who went under a train at a Liverpool station.

Georgia Varley died when she fell between the carriage and platform at James Street station in October 2011.

Christopher McGee, 45, had denied manslaughter but was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

He signalled for the driver to depart as Miss Varley, who was drunk, stood on the platform leaning against the train.

During the two-week trial, the prosecution said McGee should have been able to see she was in an "intoxicated state".

McGee told the jury he did not know how drunk she had been and thought she was moving away from the train when he gave the signal to depart.

Gosh...that's a harsh sentence with all the vagueness that surrounds the issue. I wonder what the on-going implications are for train dispatch for unmanned stations, let alone ones on a curve like Bristol and York!

Do we know if there be an appeal, say by his union?

Train guard jailed for manslaughter

A train guard who ^displayed an appalling disregard for safety^ has been jailed for five years today following the death of 16-year-old Georgia Varley at James Street station, Liverpool, on 22 October 2011.

Christopher McGee, aged 45 of Edenhurst Avenue, Wallasey, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 November.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Taylor said: "The verdict brings to a close a year-long investigation which has been extremely difficult for all involved. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this case to court.

"I would also like to thank Georgia's family for the strength and courage they have shown during the traumatic events of the past 12 months.

"Georgia died in tragic circumstances and it is right and proper that the details surrounding her death were examined by a court and jury.

"Train guards sometimes work in extremely challenging circumstances, but it is important to remember they have a duty of care to those who travel on their rail services.

"When this duty of care is not satisfactorily met, it is our duty to present the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who, where necessary, refer the matter to the courts.

"I hope, following the verdict, Georgia's family can now gain some sense of closure and begin to put their lives back together."

Sentencing today (Thursday, 15 Nov) Mr Justice Holroyde said: ^You displayed an appalling disregard for Georgia Varley^s safety, and she paid with her life.^

Summary

At 23:29 hrs on Saturday 22 October 2011, sixteen year-old Georgia Varley was struck and killed by the train she had left 30 seconds earlier. She was leaning against the train as it began to move out of the station and when she fell, the platform edge gap was wide enough for her to fall through and onto the track. Her post-mortem toxicology report recorded a blood alcohol concentration nearly three times the UK legal drink drive limit and she was wearing high heeled shoes at the time of the accident.

The guard dispatched the train while the young person was leaning against it. It is possible that he did this because he had seen her but expected her to move away before the train moved. It is also possible that he looked briefly in her direction but did not see her (^looked but failed to see^ is a known phenomenon in routine, repetitive tasks). It is also possible that he did not see her because his attention was on his control panel and a large group of people on the platform.

By the time the guard warned the young person to stand back she had been leaning against the train for approximately eleven seconds. It is not known when the guard saw her during this time or, if he saw her, whether he delayed taking action in the expectation that she would move away. Platform video camera footage shows him warning her to stand back in the moments before the train departs and it is likely he did this because he thought that it would be immediately effective and because he had no direct and immediate way to stop the train.

While the rail industry^s overall safety record has improved in recent years, accidents at the platform/train interface have increased, even when accounting for an increased number of passenger journeys over a period of time which saw a known industry hazard (trains with slam doors but no central locking) withdrawn from service. This indicates that the industry^s focus on operational matters has not delivered improved safety at the platform/train interface, which suggests that there is a need to consider technical solutions to reduce the risk.

This report makes three recommendations. The objective of recommendation one is for Merseyrail to reduce train dispatch accident risk by improving the way in which it operates its trains. The objective of recommendation two is for Merseyrail to reduce the likelihood of falls through the platform edge gap. The objective of recommendation three is for the Office of Rail Regulation to ensure that the findings of this report are taken into account in published guidance.