Stuck in a train overnight.

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

The parent(s) might be (re-)considering whether they might have been a tad young to be out in the evening on their own.

At what age is it acceptable for someone to be left locked in a train overnight?

No age is acceptable to be locked in a train, and an enquiry should be held as to how this happened.

Hits nail FOH (firmly on head)

[VickiS]

I fully agree with this!

[Bob_Blakey]

'Mum-of-five Bonnie said "It begs the question - how could this happen?'' '

Could it possibly be because Bonnie doesn't understand the concept of Parental Responsibility?

[TaplowGreen]

'Mum-of-five Bonnie said "It begs the question - how could this happen?'' '

Could it possibly be because Bonnie doesn't understand the concept of Parental Responsibility?

No - it's because those responsible for ensuring that the train was empty before locking it for the night failed to do so.

[eXPassenger]

I have seen comments elsewhere that they did not have tickets and may have hidden when the train was checked.  How thorough should the search be when checking the train is empty?

[grahame]

I have seen comments elsewhere that they did not have tickets and may have hidden when the train was checked.  How thorough should the search be when checking the train is empty?

I saw that asked as a question which may have drifted into a statement.  I suggest we discuss the facts as reported and our views on them - if that comment is part of a report, by all means quote it and give the reference, but we should be careful before going further down that line.

[broadgage]

'Mum-of-five Bonnie said "It begs the question - how could this happen?'' '

Could it possibly be because Bonnie doesn't understand the concept of Parental Responsibility?

Not certain that parental responsibility comes into it. On the facts known so far it does not sound iresponsible to have let the children travel. 12 year olds if of average abilities should be able to use a train without parental supervision.

The error appears to have been on the part of the railway for not checking the train before locking it.

[Clan Line]

Bit more detail here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-56476935

[broadgage]

The later report linked to above, suggests last minute travel without tickets, rather than a properly planned journey.
That was somewhat irresponsible and dishonest on the part of the children. However it must be accepted that children DO things that most adults do not.
I do not feel that the parents should be blamed for a "one off" childish error. If the children REGULARLY do this sort of thing, then that might suggest a lack of parental control, but nothing in the published reports suggests anything but "one off" and relatively minor misbehavior.

The absence of tickets MIGHT suggest deliberate hiding from the staff checking the train.
This I must stress is PURE SPECULATION on my part, however it seems reasonable speculation, remembering that many passengers without tickets DO HIDE.

The possibility of deliberate hiding begs the question "how thoroughly are rail staff expected to check empty trains" ?
I would presume a simple walk through, to locate any child or adult who has fallen asleep, and not a full search under every seat.

[IndustryInsider]

I’m sure on train or station CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) will clear up any inconsistencies from any of the parties involved.

[ChrisB]

From their mother - ""Any adults who saw two 12-year-olds getting off a train on their own should have questioned that."

Would you? Coz I'm not sure I would....

[broadgage]

I’m sure on train or station CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) will clear up any inconsistencies from any of the parties involved.

Agree.
If the girls were sleeping in plain view, and not found that suggests that the train was not checked.
If they were deliberately hiding, then in my view rail staff are not to be blamed.

It still sounds like the sort of relatively minor misbehavior to which children are prone. No serious harm was done.
Learning points for these children.
Buy a ticket.
Try to stay awake.
Do not hide.
Tell your parents where you are going and what you are doing.
Make certain that your cellphone is charged and in working order.

[broadgage]

From their mother - ""Any adults who saw two 12-year-olds getting off a train on their own should have questioned that."

Would you? Coz I'm not sure I would....

I would not consider two 12 year olds getting of a train to be of concern or something that should be reported, unless there was some ADDITIONAL REASON for concern.

If they looked sick, or injured, intoxicated, drugged, or otherwise distressed, then that would be cause for concern.
A very remote location, or very bad weather for which the youngsters were not dressed might also be grounds for concern.

But otherwise, it is IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) OK for 12 year olds to use a train without parental supervision.

[grahame]

But otherwise, it is IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) OK for 12 year olds to use a train without parental supervision.

Agreed ... I might also take a second concerned look if it was late in the evening / at night, or if they were joining a very long distance service with minimal stops.  Joining the London Express at Glasgow Central, for example. But late afternoon getting on the Balloch or Helensburgh stopper, no second glance unless some of those other things you mentioned apply.

[IndustryInsider]

It looks like an investigation using the CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) footage has revealed that the two girls deliberately hid under the seats from staff checking the train rather than falling asleep as originally claimed:

https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/two-12-year-old-girls-found-themselves-stuck-on-a-train-in-helensburgh-overnight-after-hiding-from-staff-3174652

Perhaps that's why they didn't use an emergency egress at some point during the night?  The railway has a duty of care for its passengers of course, even if they are fare evaders, so can't be blameless, but this does cast a rather different light on the matter, and also the reliability of the rest of the girls account of what happened.