A report has revealed that a 15-year-old girl, known as “Edie,” was electrocuted on a railway line due to miscommunication between the police and track operator. Police responded to a trespass report in March 2023, but reported that they couldn’t see anyone from a bridge. However, track power was switched back on without detailed search or oversight by police supervisors. Following the incident, Edie’s mother felt that her daughter was “failed by all”, including care authorities.
According to report author Sarah Holtom, Edie was “intoxicated” and decided to walk home along the track after a night out with friends. Holtom stated that “Once Dorset Police had attended and reported to their control room that they couldn’t see anyone from the bridge, deemed an ‘area search no trace’… Network Rail decided to re-energise as in line with policy and procedure.” However, the British Transport Police were not notified of the incident and were unaware of what the initial search had involved.
The report also highlighted the complex needs of Edie, who had been excluded by all six mainstream schools in her area and had turned to excessive drinking and drug use. She had taken an overdose a week before her death and absconded from hospital. It was found that authorities had missed opportunities to intervene following both incidents, and the decision not to provide mental health services to Edie due to “parenting issues” was an “acknowledged error,” which could be construed as victim-blaming.
Edie’s mother claimed that her daughter had previously used the track as a shortcut and had not been made aware of the dangers by authorities. The report called for agencies to do more to understand the needs of Edie’s mother, who had separate issues and often asked for help for her daughter before withdrawing consent. An inquest into Edie’s death will be held at a later date
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