General Chat

by train. Mother saw him but couldnt reach the 2yrold in time. Why oh why will they not use reins? Such a simple way to control babies.

What a shame, they are so quick.

According to a report in today's paper, the crossing gate used to have a bolt on it but it was removed two weeks ago so now it can just be pushed open.

I don't know if that was a factor and agree a toddler or animal should be under control near a road or railway, but it seems a daft thing to do.

A tragic event.
So awful for the train driver too, who had no hope of stopping in time.

Gwyn

As far as I know his Granny lived near by, maybe he was heading for her place.

Marion

Joan
I read that the little boy was nearly 3....Still vulnerable and perhaps more able to push that gate?

Gwyn

It was near a school at home time, D Mail said 2 years old, whatever, the exact age it is a great tragedy and I too feel for the train driver and for the children who were in the area going home from school. Whoever decided to make it easier for pedestrians to open the gate should also now be having another think, a 2 year old should never be able to gain access to the railway, whether or not we think he should have been restrained. Again we can't judge as we don't know the circumstances, we all know how quickly they move.

At this age they just go off, and there is no catching them. My great nephew was away into puddles etc, and we had a hard job to catch him, good job it was in a park and not on the main road. The only way we could get him back was the promise of an ice cream.

I am not blaming the mother, I know how quick little ones are. All the more reason for some restraint near dangerous places. I have seen a child restrained with a version of the long dog lead, which gave him quite a lot of freedom. Afriend of mine had to pull up sharply to avoid a young child who ran out between parked cars. She was not hurt, but had to be driven home she was so shaken. The mother was stood chatting to friend and behaved as if it was my friends fault..

I agree, I prefer to see toddlers on reins., my Grandchildren were usually on the sort that were attached to their wrist with a long expanding spiral plastic 'lead' attached to a wristband on the adult.

i used to use that for our daughter,
our son used to hold my hand all the time

its such a sad case, poor wee thing, his mam must be so heart broken,

I too feel so sad for the mother and all this little one's family, but see so often families with toddlers running ahead and they only have to trip or not stop at a kerb to be in major danger, also cars have been known to mount pavements, if you are holding your child you might at least be able to grab them out of the way, but if they are yards ahead you have no chance to save them. My son was on reins for a long time till I felt he understood that he was not to run ahead unless I gave permission, i.e. when we were in a park or somewhere I could see him and reach him quickly. I have seen little ones dash away from their parents towards open shopping mall doors, if they got out before the parent, anyone could grab them or they could run into danger. I have also had them run into me and I have had to grab them to stop them falling over, good thing I am fairly stable on my feet but you get a toddler haring into a frailer person maybe with walking sticks, and they could end up on the floor with a broken hip or arm etc.
It's time parents valued their children's lives more and not just let them be in danger.

I know this mother will never get over seeing her little lad killed in that way - it doesn't matter whether the gate had a catch or not, if he was old enough to be left to run loose he should have been taught never to open the gate without his parent's permission. Sounds as tho they were regular walkers to that area as family lived nearby.

Rest in peace little fellow

Lizx