The British Transport Police, in association with Network Rail, has launched a new rail safety campaign film that features the parents of a young boy who died after being electrocuted by overhead power cables.

The film titled Harrison’s Story tells the story of how 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne wandered into a rail freight depot to retrieve a lost football and tragically lost his life when he was electrocuted by overhead power cables that struck him with 25,000 volts of electricity. Neither Harrison’s friends nor paramedics could do anything to save him and he died at the scene.

Harrison lived in a small village that did not have a railway station. His mother, Liz Ballantyne, said: “I had never realised that I needed to educate my children about the dangers of the railway as I never realised how close the railway was.”

Drew Ballantyne, Harrison’s father added: “Harrison didn’t touch the overhead power cables on that day. I didn’t know that electricity could jump and arc, and I doubt that he did either.”

Harrison’s Story is part of the You vs Train campaign, which aims to educate people about the dangers that are present on the railway, both obvious and hidden, and help to deter trespassing. It will be pushed out across social media and used as part of the rail industry’s school’s engagement programme. For further information about the You vs Train campaign go to www.youvstrain.co.uk.

Trespass is a huge problem on the railway. There are thousands of incidents recorded each year, and the latest figures show that in the last financial year (2021/22) there were 19,408 trespass incidents on Britain’s railway network. That is the highest number recorded for five years, and 25% of all those incidents involved young people under the age of 18,

Harrison’s Story has had a profound impact on the rail industry, as his case resulted in an investigation by the Office for Rail and Road, the rail industry’s regulator. His family has collaborated with the industry to create another film that builds on Harrison’s Story, and which will be used as a training aid to provide guidance on how to improve risk management processes.

Since Harrison’s death, a large amount of work has taken place in the rail industry. The latest film highlights both the progress that has been made and provides a reminder of the tragic consequences if things go wrong.

Robert Wainwright, head of public safety at Network Rail, said: “Harrison’s Story is a tragic reminder of why it is vitally important that we all know about rail safety and the devastating potential impact that trespass can have, not only on the trespasser – who risks serious life-changing, if not fatal injury – but also on their friends and family, and the wider community.

“The railway is full of danger, both obvious and hidden, and that danger is ever present as the electricity on the railway is always turned on. I urge people to watch this film, understand the risks, make the right decisions and stay away from the railway lines. Help us to keep you and your loved ones safe.”

Superintendent Alison Evans said: “Telling Harrison’s tragic story highlights how, by educating ourselves and others, we can make the railway a safer place.

“The hazards of trespassing on the railway are countless – trains travel at high speed and unlike cars, can’t swerve to avoid people. You can’t tell when the next train is approaching.

“High voltage electricity powers the overhead cables and the third rail 24 hours a day, seven days a week – you don’t have to touch them to risk your life – the electricity can arc – just like it did in Harrison’s case.

“The third rail looks just like an ordinary rail, but it carries 750 volts. The DC current that flows through it is three times as powerful as your home electricity.

“I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to watch this film and spread the word – it might just save a life and avoid the devastation endured by Harrison’s parents.”