Rail firm fined £2.7m after trespasser, 13, electrocuted

A RAIL company was fined £2.7million yesterday after a 13-year-old who sneaked into a depot lost his legs to an electric shock.

The teenager was trespassing when he stood on a wagon and was hit with 25,000 volts from overhead lines.

A court heard that DB Cargo UK had failed to take appropriate measures to stop intruders.

The boy suffered 80 per cent burns and lost several fingers as well as both legs in the accident in June 2014.

His life was probably saved by the driver of the wagon who arrived soon afterwards and gave first aid, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

It later emerged that site workers at the Tyne Yard depot near Birtley had spotted ‘urban explorers and trespassers’ but no formal action was taken.

In a statement, the boy said: ‘My life has changed so much as a result of the injuries.’

Sentencing, Judge Stephen Earl said: ‘Systematic failings increased the risk of serious harm.’ He added that ‘more could have been done’ if only the firm had been more aware of the risk to trespassers.