One of Croydon’s biggest secondary schools, Riddlesdown Collegiate, is closed today out of respect for the grieving family of a pupil who was killed on the railway line near Kenley Station yesterday morning.
Kenley Station: the Y7 pupil was killed on a pedestrian crossing near the station
The child, a Year 7 pupil at Riddlesdown, was pronounced dead at the scene despite being attended by London Ambulance Service and British Transport Police. They had been hit by the 7.55am Caterham to London Bridge train.
Commuters in the Purley area said they saw a fire engine at the scene, which was at a pedestrian crossing of the railway lines between Kenley and Whyteleafe stations.
Network Rail closed the line between Purley and Caterham and Tattenham Corner for most of the morning. “It is with great sadness that we can confirm a person died after being hit by a train and our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
In a letter distributed to all parents and carers of Riddlesdown pupils last night, the school’s principal, Daniel Osborne, wrote “with immense sadness” that the pupil had died.
Dealing with grief: Riddlesdown Collegiate
Describing the incident as “a tragic accident”, Osborne wrote that the pupil “was believed to be his own”, with no others pupils hurt in any way.
A parents’ evening planned for last night was cancelled.
The school’s letter announced that it would be closed today for regular lessons today. “However, we wish to keep the Collegiate open from 8.30am – 12.00pm as a place where members of the community can drop in to come together, support each other and seek support from staff at the Collegiate and other professionals,” the letter said.
“On Monday, we shall re-open the Collegiate as normal and will speak with all students directly through assemblies and tutor time.
“This tragedy will undoubtedly affect all of us. Please be assured that we will do our best to support everyone and move forward together as a community.”
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