11-Year-Old Killed by Train While Distracted by iPhone, Inquest Hears

An 11-year-old schoolboy was killed by a train after being distracted by his new iPhone, an inquest has heard. Jaiden Shehata was hit by a London-bound train at a level crossing near Kenley, south London, on January 23, 2025, shortly after 8 a.m. The boy had received the iPhone as a Christmas gift a month prior to the incident and investigators believe he was likely watching a video at the time of the collision.

Jaiden typically traveled to Riddlesdown Collegiate school with his older brother, Reece, but on this occasion, he had departed 20 minutes earlier than usual. He was a pupil at the school for six months and used the Bourneview crossing almost daily. Despite the train driver sounding the horn, Jaiden walked into the path of the oncoming train. He was not wearing headphones at the time of the accident.

An inquest at South London Coroner's Court heard that Jaiden sustained fatal injuries and was likely deceased before emergency services arrived 15 minutes later. Paul Tickner, lead investigator for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), informed the hearing that the youngster was "probably" distracted by his phone, though he added, "It doesn't mean he wasn't aware of the risk."

The inquest also revealed that Network Rail took seven months to close the level crossing, which had been identified as a "high risk" crossing, designated as C4 by the company. Daniel Fisk, Network Rail's head of level crossing and safety, stated that the crossing was compliant with standards at the time of the tragedy. He explained that Network Rail did not have the legal authority to close the crossing independently and required permission from Croydon Council, as it was a public right of way. Fisk conceded that the eventual closure was more a result of a petition initiated by Jaiden's family than Network Rail's own initiative.

A risk assessment conducted in 2023 had identified potential safety improvements for the Bourneview crossing, including enhanced signage and the installation of miniature stop lights. By December 2024, designs for these upgrades were in progress. The crossing was ranked the 13th most dangerous footpath on Network Rail's Sussex route out of 111. The safety work was completed earlier this year, but the crossing remains closed while Network Rail engages with local schools on rail safety matters before considering its reopening.

Fisk attributed delays in implementing new safety features to a lack of staff, funding, and the complexity of designing the miniature stop lights system. A subsequent RAIB report highlighted that the design and construction of the Bourneview crossing, including an "old and unimposing" fence and gate, along with a muddy, sloping path that required pedestrians to watch their footing, contributed to the tragedy. The report suggested that these conditions might have led people to focus on the path rather than on warning signs.