The mother of a young boy who was electrocuted on the railway has called for children to be taught about rail safety as a matter of urgency.

Six years ago today, 27th June, 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne died after he trespassed into a rail freight yard and came into contact with overhead live wires carrying 25,000 Volts.

Harrison’s mother, Liz Ballantyne, has joined with Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) to urge parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers to be found on the railway, and they should do this as a matter of priority before the school holidays begin.

Last year, a short film titled Harrison’s Story was released that told the tragic tale of Liz’s son. It forms part of Network Rail and BTP’s anti-trespass You vs Train campaign and has since been seen by hundreds of thousands of school children, helping to significantly reduce incidents of trespassing in the high-priority areas where it has been shown.

Since then, Harrison’s family has collaborated with the rail industry to create another film that builds on Harrison’s Story.

It is being used as a training tool to provide guidance on how to improve risk management processes. Since Harrison’s death, a great deal of work has taken place in the rail industry and the film shows the progress that has been made, and provides a reminder of the tragic consequences that can happen when things go wrong.

The You vs Train campaign is designed to demonstrate to the public the dangers present on the railway, to deter them from trespassing, and keep them safe from harm. The campaign tells that:

• trains can travel at speeds up to 125mph, and if the brakes are applied a train can travel the length of 20 football pitches before it comes to a complete stop;
• electricity is used to power trains is on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with voltages of 25,000 Volts in overhead lines and 750 Volts in third rail supplies;
• electricity can harm without even coming into contact with it, as electricity can jump and arc just as it did in Harrison’s case.

Further information about the You vs Train campaign can be found at www.youvstrain.co.uk.

Trespassing on the railway is a huge problem, with thousands of incidents recorded each year. Last year, there were 18, 517 cases of trespass on the British rail network, of which 20%, around 3,700, involved young people under 18. Although that was a drop in the number of incidents involving young people, overall figures remain too high, with almost one for every mile of track in the country, and are yet to drop to pre-Covid levels.

Ms Ballantyne said: “The summer holidays should be about freedom and I always encouraged Harrison to go out and have adventures. I taught him about “stranger danger” and to be careful around water, but I just hadn’t realised that I needed to teach him about rail safety as there was no railway station near our village.

“I learnt of its importance too late, but I don’t want others to suffer as I have. Please sit down with your children and loved ones and talk to them about the dangers present around, the railway so they know how to keep themselves safe whilst they are out having fun.”

Louise McNally, trespass prevention lead at Network Rail, said: “Harrison’s Story has been a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that trespass can have, not only to the trespasser but also their loved ones and the wider community. It is important that we share his story and learn lessons from it so that we can ensure that another family does not suffer as the Ballantynes have.”

BTP Superintendent Alison Evans added: “As the summer holidays approach we urge parents and carers of young people to talk about trespass and rail safety and warn them of the dangers of straying onto the railway.

“We continue to share Harrison’s story in the hope that it will resonate with others and make a difference.

“The rail network can be a deadly place; trespassing can result in devastating injuries or death. Please spread the word to stay off the tracks – it could just save a life.”