Mother Watches in Horror as Teen Daughter Dies on Tracks

Published: 18 November 2025 Tuesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

A mother has recounted the devastating moment she watched emergency services try to save her teenage daughter after the girl was electrocuted on a railway line in Weymouth, Dorset. The inquest into the death of 15-year-old Roxy Phillips heard how the young girl suffered a fatal accident in the early hours of 23 March 2023, leaving her family and friends in shock.

Kerri Walker, Roxy’s mother, told the court she was alerted to the incident when a friend of her daughter called to say Roxy had fallen onto the tracks and was unresponsive. “I was frozen and watching in horror,” Ms Walker said as she arrived at the scene, describing the heart-wrenching moment she saw paramedics attempt to revive her child and ultimately witnessed a white sheet being placed over her daughter.

Roxy was remembered as a passionate horse lover who enjoyed riding and competing. In a statement read to the inquest, Ms Walker explained that her daughter’s behaviour had declined following the death of a beloved horse in an accident. The inquest also revealed that Roxy had been excluded from school, and her mother had sought support from child social services, although delays hindered timely intervention.

Earlier in March 2023, Roxy had taken an overdose and was hospitalised, highlighting the ongoing struggles she faced. The day before her death, she was due to appear in court on charges of assaulting paramedics and police, but the case was adjourned.

In the early hours of 23 March, Ms Walker called her daughter to check on her whereabouts, but a friend answered the phone, revealing that Roxy had been drinking and had fallen onto the railway tracks. By the time Ms Walker reached the scene, paramedics were already performing CPR.

The fatal incident occurred along a stretch of railway near Redlands Sports Centre as Roxy and friends walked from Weymouth town centre toward Upwey. The inquest heard that a 999 call had been made just before 01:00 GMT reporting two individuals on the railway line near Weymouth station. As a precaution, power was turned off and Dorset Police attended the location. Officers, however, reported that they could neither see nor hear anyone on the track, and no further search was conducted.

Less than half an hour later, power to the railway line was restored. Just 24 minutes after re-electrification, a friend called emergency services to report that Roxy had fallen on the live tracks. Forensic analysis revealed that the teenager was severely intoxicated and had consumed cannabis prior to the accident.

Senior Dorset coroner Rachel Griffin told the inquest that she expected the main points of examination to focus on the adequacy of the search conducted following the initial report of trespassers and the decision to reintroduce electricity to the railway line. The inquest is anticipated to last approximately two and a half weeks.

Ms Walker described the profound shock she experienced when arriving at the scene, recalling that the sight of her daughter lying motionless and paramedics attempting resuscitation was an unbearable moment. “I was frozen and watching in horror,” she said. The image of a white sheet being placed over Roxy remains etched in her memory, a symbol of the finality of her daughter’s death.

The inquest provided a glimpse into Roxy’s life and interests, painting a picture of a teenager who found solace and joy in her equestrian pursuits. Friends and family described her as a dedicated and loving individual whose life had been profoundly affected by the death of a horse she had cherished.

The teenager’s struggles with mental health, substance use, and behavioural challenges were also highlighted. Her mother spoke of delays in receiving support from social services and the challenges of navigating complex systems designed to protect and assist young people in crisis. Roxy’s overdose earlier in the month underscored the vulnerability she faced and the urgent need for intervention.

The day before the accident, Roxy had been due in court on allegations of assaulting paramedics and police officers. The case’s adjournment meant she remained unsupervised, and the inquest will consider how this context may have contributed to the events that followed.

Emergency response procedures also came under scrutiny during the inquest. The initial 999 call reported two people on the tracks, prompting the temporary shutdown of the electrified railway line. Dorset Police officers attended the scene but reportedly did not conduct a thorough search, stating they could not see or hear anyone on the tracks. Less than 30 minutes later, power was restored, leaving the line live at the time Roxy fell and suffered fatal electrocution.

Forensic examination revealed that Roxy had consumed alcohol and cannabis, contributing to her impaired judgment at the time of the accident. The coroner indicated that these factors, while relevant, do not diminish the need for careful operational decisions regarding the management of live railway tracks and the safety measures in place for trespassers.

The inquest is expected to explore the adequacy of communication between emergency services, the timing of the power restoration, and the actions taken following the initial report. Expert witnesses may be called to assess whether proper safety protocols were followed and if opportunities existed to prevent the tragedy.

Ms Walker shared the emotional toll the incident has had on her family, describing the lingering trauma of witnessing her daughter’s final moments and the aftermath of the accident. The sense of helplessness and grief has left a lasting impact, compounded by the knowledge that the accident could potentially have been prevented with timely intervention.

Roxy’s life and interests were fondly remembered throughout the inquest. She was passionate about horses, spending hours riding and training, and her enthusiasm for equestrian competitions brought joy to both her and those around her. Friends and family highlighted her dedication and her close bonds with both peers and her horse, which had been a central part of her life.

The tragedy has sparked wider reflection on the responsibilities of railway authorities and emergency services when responding to reports of trespassers on electrified tracks. Questions have been raised about safety measures, search protocols, and the timing of power restoration to minimize risks to vulnerable individuals, particularly young people under the influence of substances.

As the inquest continues, the coroner will examine whether procedures could be improved to prevent similar incidents in the future. Recommendations may address how police and railway operators coordinate during emergencies and the need for timely and comprehensive searches before power is reinstated on live tracks.

The incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with railway lines and the critical importance of safety protocols. It also highlights the vulnerability of young people navigating personal challenges, mental health issues, and risk-taking behaviours.

For Ms Walker, the grief and shock of losing her daughter remain profound. She described the difficulty of processing the events of that night and the subsequent emotional burden of attending the inquest. The trauma has been compounded by the circumstances surrounding the emergency response and the sense that more could have been done to prevent her daughter’s death.

The coroner’s inquest aims to establish a full understanding of the sequence of events leading to Roxy’s death, assess the adequacy of emergency responses, and consider recommendations to improve safety on railway lines. The findings may have implications for policy and procedures across emergency services and rail operators, with the potential to prevent future tragedies involving young people.