Highcliffe School 'shocked and saddened' at pupil's railway death

A TEENAGE girl killed after being hit by a train at a railway station at the weekend was a Highcliffe School pupil.

Paramedics and British Transport Police officers responded to the incident on the line at Pokesdown around 8.45pm on Sunday – but the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The youngster’s identity had not been released by Wednesday, but British Transport Police confirmed she lived in the Christchurch area.

In the wake of the tragedy, it is understood mock GCSEs at Highcliffe School in Parkside were postponed and grief counselling was being offered to pupils.

A memorial event in the girl’s honour was also said to have taken place there on Wednesday.

When the A&T contacted the school, a spokesperson said it was “really shocked and saddened by the news”.

She added it would only comment further after formal identification of the girl.

A British Transport Police spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday: “At 8.44pm on Monday (18/03) officers were called to Pokesdown station after reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended. However, a 16-year-old girl from Christchurch was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her family have been informed.

“This incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

The power on the line stretching between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth was switched off for about 90 minutes while crews dealt with the incident on Sunday night.

During this time, services faced delays, cancellations and changes.

An South Western Railway spokesperson told the A&T: "The emergency services dealt with an incident last night at 8.45pm near Pokesdown station.

"Some services along the route were terminated before reaching their destination until the service was restored at 10.15pm."