Boy, 11, hit by train 'while watching video on new iPhone' on way to London school

A London schoolboy who was hit by a train on his way to school was probably distracted watching a video on his new smartphone, an inquest heard.Jaiden Shehata, 11, was killed when he was hit by a train on a level crossing near Kenley in south London at around 8am on January 23, 2025.The inquest at South London Coroner's Court heard on Monday that Jaiden had “probably” been watching a video on his iPhone, which he had received as a Christmas gift just a month earlier. Jaiden would normally have been making the journey to Riddlesdown Collegiate in south Croydon with his 18-year-old brother, Reece, but had left for school 20 minutes earlier than usual that day.Jaiden, who used the level crossing most days, walked into the path of an oncoming London-bound train at the Bourneview crossing, despite the driver sounding the horn while approaching.The inquest heard that Jaiden suffered an “unsurvivable injury” and was most likely dead by the time emergency services arrived 15 minutes after he was hit.The inquest heard that Jaiden suffered an ‘unsurvivable injury’Family HandoutIt also heard that while Jaiden was not wearing headphones, he was probably distracted by his phone at the time of impact.Analysis of his phone suggested that a video clip was playing at the time of the accident.Paul Tickner, Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) lead investigator, said: “It doesn't mean he wasn't aware of the risk.”It took seven months for Network Rail to close the level crossing, despite it being ranked as C4, meaning “high” risk.The crossing has been ranked the 13th most dangerous footpath on Network Rail's Sussex route out of 111, and was scheduled for safety improvements at the time of the incident.The firm's head of level crossing and safety, Daniel Fisk, told the jury the Bourneview crossing was “compliant” with its standards at the time of the tragedy, and that Network Rail did not have the legal authority to close the crossing at the time.Read MoreHe did concede that its eventual closure was driven more by a petition from the family than “Network Rail's view”, adding that the risk was “being managed as practicable”.The Bourneview footpath crossing near Kenley, south LondonPAA risk assessment carried out by Network Rail on the crossing in 2023 identified possible changes that could have made it safer, including better signage and the installation of “miniature stop lights” with red and green indicators.Despite work being completed earlier this year, the crossing remains closed as Network Rail wants to complete “more engagement with local schools” about rail safety before it reopens.A report by RAIB published after Jaiden's death highlighted how the design and construction of the Bourneview crossing contributed to the tragedy.It raised concerns about the “old and unimposing” fence and gate, and how the muddy and sloping path would mean people 'would be looking downwards and watching their step, to avoid slipping or tripping, rather than looking up at the signs”.