Shocked commuters were left in tears after a teenage girl was killed when she was hit by a train.
The 17 year-old, who has not yet been identified by police, was struck outside Pannal train station near Harrogate shortly after 9am yesterday morning. (Nov 23)
Police investigating her death say it is not being treated as suspicious.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “BTP officers were called to Pannal railway station in Harrogate yesterday, following reports of a female being struck by a train.
“Officers from BTP and North Yorkshire Police attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 09.18am, and is not being treated as suspicious.
“Officers are currently working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, formally identify the female, who is believed to be aged 17 from Harrogate, and inform her next of kin.
“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
One passenger who was travelling on the train, but did not wish to be named, told the YEP: “We heard the driver asking for a guard and then we saw him with his head in his hands and we knew something pretty serious must have happened.
“We pulled up for about and hour and a half and saw police come and take some pictures. Once everyone realised what had happened, some of the passengers were in tears.
“The staff on the train were really good and kept us informed about what was going on, even though they were clearly shaken up themselves.”
Commuters on trains travelling across Leeds faced long delays because of the tragedy.
Trains travelling through Leeds, Burley Park, Headingley, Horsforth, Weeton, Pannal, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, Starbeck, Knaresborough, Cattal, Hammerton, Poppleton and York were affected.
Buses were organised to replace trains between Leeds and York via Harrogate with some journey times delayed by up to 60 minutes. =
An inquest into the death is expected to be opened in due course.