11-year-old killed on high-risk Kenley level crossing, likely distracted by phone

Jaiden Shehata, an 11-year-old pupil of Riddlesdown Collegiate, was killed when he stepped into the path of a London-bound train at the Bourneview level crossing near Kenley, south London, just after 8 am on 23 January. A Rail Accident Investigation Branch lead investigator said the boy was probably distracted by a video on his iPhone, which he had received as a Christmas present a month earlier. The crossing, rated C4 (high risk) by Network Rail, was deemed compliant with standards at the time, though safety upgrades such as better signage and miniature stop lights were being designed.

After the tragedy, a petition from Jaiden’s family led Network Rail to close the crossing seven months later, and it remains shut pending further safety engagement with local schools. A subsequent RAIB report highlighted the crossing’s low fence, gate design and sloping, muddy approach as contributing factors to the accident.