Rail investigation after boy fatally hit by train

An independent investigation has been launched after a 14-year-old boy was fatally struck by a train in Nottinghamshire.

Josh Travis died when he was hit by a train in Burton Joyce at about 19:05 GMT on 26 November.

Following his death, the Chestnut Grove footpath level crossing was temporarily closed.

On Monday, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) confirmed it would be carrying out a full investigation into the incident after carrying out a preliminary examination.

Josh's death is not being treated as suspicious, the British Transport Police said previously.

The RAIB - the UK's independent railway accident investigation organisation - sent inspectors to the site after it happened.

According to the organisation, the train involved was travelling at about 60mph (97km/h) at the time.

The RAIB said its investigation would consider the following points:

• Factors which may have influenced the decisions and actions of those involved
• Any previous incidents at Chestnut Grove footpath crossing and how these may be relevant to the accident
• The management of risk at the crossing including how this was co-ordinated between Network Rail, relevant local government, and other organisations
• Network Rail's wider strategy for assessing and mitigating risk at footpath crossings
• Any relevant underlying factors

The Chestnut Grove crossing gave pedestrians access to and from the village of Burton Joyce and footpaths leading to the River Trent, and had gates on each side.

A consultation on whether to permanently close the footpath level crossing had opened days before Josh's death, after Network Rail had applied to Nottinghamshire County Council to close it on safety grounds in March.

A document submitted as part of the application from Network Rail said the rail firm had submitted "repeated applications" to the authority to temporarily stop the public right of way over the crossing to remove the risk to users while permanent solutions were explored.

The rail firm warned the crossing posed a "very real risk of serious incident" and reported 19 near-misses from 2020 until March this year.

An emergency closure was agreed between Network Rail and the county council the day after Josh's death for an initial 21 days, before being extended.

A temporary traffic regulation order for the footpath will come into effect on Thursday lasting until 26 May 2026.

In a statement following his death, Josh's family said: "Josh was a lad with an incredible energy for life, an infectious and mischievous smile, kind sparkling eyes, and so much love to give."

Dozens of tributes were left at the gates of the level crossing in the days that followed Josh's death.

Nottingham Forest, where Josh was previously an academy player, also held a minute's silence in his memory before a Premier League match with Brighton.

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