An inquest into the death of an 11-year-old boy who was struck by a train while crossing a footpath near his home in Kenley, Surrey, has found that he was distracted by his smartphone at the time of the accident. Jaiden Shehata died on January 23 last year after being hit by a train at the Bourneview footpath crossing, which had been classified as "high risk" due to multiple previous incidents.

The crossing, located close to Jaiden’s home, had recorded six near misses and one suicide between 2018 and 2023. It was categorized as a C4 risk site, prompting Network Rail to recommend safety improvements, including installing lights and signage in 2023. However, these upgrades were not completed until 2024, after Jaiden’s death.

CCTV footage reviewed as part of the investigation showed Jaiden looking down at his phone when he stepped onto the tracks, walking directly into the path of the oncoming train. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s report indicated that a video was likely playing on his device at the time. The inquest jury concluded that Jaiden “did not perceive the danger of the train approaching, probably because he was distracted by his mobile phone.”

Jaiden’s father, Jozif Shehata, has strongly disagreed with the suggestion his son was at fault, attributing the tragedy to inadequate safety measures. Speaking last year, he said: “Jaiden was killed by the neglect from the railway authorities. The improvements should have been made years ago. This was an accident waiting to happen.” He expressed frustration over what he saw as an attempt to place blame on his son rather than addressing the risks at the crossing.

Senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe noted during the inquest that distractions caused by mobile phones are common, stating that Jaiden’s behaviour was “very much normal” for people today.

Following the incident, Network Rail decided to close the crossing, a move that Daniel Fisk, head of level crossings and safety at Network Rail, confirmed was largely in response to a petition initiated by the Shehata family rather than the company’s internal risk evaluations. The closure aims to prevent similar accidents and improve safety for pedestrians in the area.