Report reveals failures over Dorset teenager electrocuted on railway

A 15-year-old girl was electrocuted on train tracks after communication problems between police and the railway operator, according to a report.

Police officers, responding to a report of an intrusion in March 2023, told their control room that they could not see anyone from a bridge.

Power to the track was later restored, despite no detailed search or monitoring by police supervisors, the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children's Partnership (PDSCP) said.

The girl's mother felt that her daughter had been “abandoned by everyone”, including the authorities responsible for her care, the report adds.

She wrote: “Around 1am, trespassing was reported on a train line in the area.

“Once Dorset Police attended and reported to their control room that they could not see anyone from the bridge, which was deemed a 'no trace area search'… Network Rail has decided to re-energize in accordance with policy and procedure.

However, she said British Transport Police (BTP) supervisors were unaware of the incident and BTP staff did not know what the search was about.

She said the girl had previously used the track as a “shortcut” and had not been warned of the dangers by authorities.

The teenager, known as “Edie” in the report, had complex needs, Ms Holtom said.

She writes: “Life became difficult for 13-year-old Edie following the death of her beloved horse.”

The teenager was excluded from six mainstream schools in her area, drank to excess and used and sold drugs, the report said.

In December 2022, Edie went to the station “with the intention of harming herself”.

A week before her death, she overdosed but fled the hospital.

The report said authorities missed opportunities to intervene following both incidents.

The lack of a suitable education for Edie prompted one professional to say she had been “set up to fail”.

A decision in April 2022 not to provide CAMHS mental health services to Edie “due to parental issues” was an “acknowledged error” and “could be construed as victim blaming”, the report added.

He said agencies should have done more to understand the needs of Edie's mother, who had different problems and often sought help for her daughter before withdrawing consent.

An investigation into this death is expected to take place at a later date.