Morley girl killed by train trying to rescue dog (16 May 2010)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another very sad story, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A 16-year-old girl died when she was hit by a train as she tried to retrieve her dog from the tracks.
British Transport Police said Natasha Elliott was hit just outside Morley station in Leeds on Sunday.
She was believed to be trying to get her dog from the tracks when she was hit by the 1752 BST York to Blackpool North Northern Rail service.
Police said Natasha, a pupil at Morley High School, was taken to hospital but later died. The dog was not killed.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Father's fears over rail death crossing closure plan

The father of a 14-year-old girl who was killed by a train in Leeds fears plans to close the crossing where it happened could lead to further tragedy.

Natasha Elliott was hit by the train while trying to pull her dog away from the line near Morley station on 16 May.

Network Rail said it planned to close the crossing and divert people across a nearby footbridge for safety reasons.

Natasha's father Wayne said he believed people would ignore the diversion and cross in more dangerous places.

"I don't want to see anybody else lose their life, especially a child," he said. "I know there's a lot of people who do use [the crossing] and have used it for years. Network Rail have to take them into consideration."

Mr Elliott said he also wanted the crossing to remain open because a memorial garden dedicated to his daughter had been created there. He said he hoped it would serve as a reminder to people of Natasha's death.

He added: "If it saves one more life so they don't go through the pain that we've been through then I'll feel like I've got somewhere and that she hasn't died for nothing."

Rachel Lowe, from Network Rail, said the company was trying to close crossings and get people to use footbridges, which were considered safer.

She said: "We have an opportunity to do that here. It's about the future safety of the community."

She said if the closure went ahead Network Rail would talk to local residents to encourage them to use the footbridge.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Memorial to dog rescue girl Natasha Elliott unveiled

A memorial to a 16-year-old girl from Leeds who died on a railway line while trying to rescue her dog is to be unveiled by her family.

Natasha Elliott was hit by a train while trying to get her dog off the track near Morley station in May 2010.

A bust of Natasha's head and shoulders will be unveiled near the Central Methodist Church on Wesley Street, Morley, on Sunday.

Natasha's friends and family will attend the dedication ceremony.

The bust has been created by Leeds artist Melanie Wilks.

Natasha's grandmother, Jennifer Elliott, said the unveiling of the sculpture was an important step for the whole family. "Once it is done then we can move on a bit. It just means a lot to us all," she said.

Tony Elliott, Natasha's grandfather, said the sculpture was a fitting memorial to his granddaughter. "It is like looking at Natasha. It is beautiful, really beautiful," he said.

Mr Elliott said he hoped the bust would serve as a warning to others. He said: "Children will look at it and I hope their parents will be able to tell them the story. I hope they will tell them never to play on, or go near, the railway - even if their dog goes on."

Mrs Elliott said Natasha's friends had yet to see the bust but knew they would approve. "I think there will be a lot of tears from them," she said.