Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Girl, 15, and boy, 18, from same school are killed by train in suspected suicide pact near station

A teenage boy and girl from the same secondary school died last night after being hit by a train just outside a station in a suspected suicide pact.
Charleigh Disbrey, 15, and Mert Karaoglan, 18, pupils at Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, were found on the tracks around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire.
Charleigh, known as CJ, dreamed of being a professional musician - and had recorded herself singing Titanium by David Guetta in a final video posted on YouTube five days before she died.
Charleigh Disbrey went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Mert Karaoglan who was hit by a train at Borehamwood last night
Double tragedy: Charleigh Disbrey, 15 (left), and Mert Karaoglan, 18 (right), both died last night after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station
Victim: Charleigh Disbrey, 15, died after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station along with an 18-year-old last night
Victim: Charleigh Disbrey, 15, died after being hit by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station along with an 18-year-old last night
Scene: The two teenagers were hit by a train in this area - around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station
Scene: The two teenagers were hit by a train in this area - around 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station
Paramedics were called at 9pm last night to the scene where Charleigh and Mert were hit by the cross-London First Capital Connect train from St Albans, Hertfordshire, to Sutton, south London.
The train was travelling at speeds of up to 90mph when it hit the two teenagers, who were in years 10 and 13 at school.
Charleigh, who only turned 15 last Friday, said she performed in school assemblies and had auditioned for Sky talent show Must Be The Music as well as ITV programme Britain's Got Talent.
She said online: 'Whenever it is possible, I have been the lead part in two musical performances at school. I am soon going to be recording my own album at my school recording studio.
Tragedy: Charleigh Disbrey who died after being hit by a train
Mert Karaoglan, 18, who died after being hit by a train
School pupils: Charleigh, left, who was a talented musician, and Mert, right, both went to the same school

Mert Karaoglan was discovered dead on the railway line by paramedics who were unable to help him
Mert Karaoglan was discovered dead on the railway line by paramedics who were unable to help him

Tribute: Flowers are left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy, in Borehamwood, today after Mert and Charleigh were hit by a train
Tribute: Flowers are left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy, in Borehamwood, today after Mert and Charleigh were hit by a train
'I write and compose a lot of my own music - and music is the only thing I ever do.'
Mert, who was in the sixth form, was studying A-levels in Media, Photography and Business.
He wrote last month that he hoped to attend Hertfordshire University to study visual effects and would be working on his film-making through the summer months.
He said: 'I am currently studying photography as an A-Level subject within Hertswood School, and the reason why I have taken that subject is because I have a big interest within photography and how we can simply document our lives by taking photographs and how technology has improved over the years to take photography as a subject or a hobby to new levels.'

Tribute: A note to 'CJ and Mert' left on a bouquet of flowers at the scene where the two teenagers died
Tribute: A note to 'CJ and Mert' left on a bouquet of flowers at the scene where the two teenagers died

Tributes: Two bouquets of flowers left near the scene for the school pupils who studied at Elstree and Borehamwood station
Tributes: Two bouquets of flowers left near the scene for the school pupils who studied at Elstree and Borehamwood station
As news of the double tragedy broke today, flowers were left at the scene which said: 'Rest In Peace, CJ and Mert. Never forgotten'.
Friends of the pair paid tribute on Twitter, saying: 'R.I.P CJ and Mert such wonderful and talented people, you will be truly missed xxxxx.'

Another person wrote: 'R.I.P CJ and MERT!! So sad!! Thoughts are with family and friends!!'
A spokesman for British Transport Police said the deaths were not being treated as suspicious.
Floral tributes: More flowers which were left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy. The teenagers' headteacher described them as 'talented, hard-working and well-respected'
Floral tributes: More flowers which were left outside the gates of Hertswood Academy. The teenagers' headteacher described them as 'talented, hard-working and well-respected'
Grief: Tributes left outside the school today for the two teenagers. The deaths were announced in a special assembly
Grief: Tributes left outside the school today for the two teenagers. The deaths were announced in a special assembly
He said: 'Two teenagers who died after being struck by a train close to Elstree and Borehamwood station are believed to be 15-year-old Charleigh Disbrey and an 18-year-old man. Both were from the Borehamwood area. 

'The incident was reported to BTP at 8.57pm and was attended by officers from BTP and Hertfordshire Constabulary. 

'Medics from East of England Ambulance Service also attended the incident but sadly the two teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene.'

Superintendent Phil Wilkinson said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two teenagers involved in last night’s tragic and acutely sad incident.
'Although my officers are continuing their investigations, as part of our work to prepare a file for the local Coroner, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances and no one else is believed to have been involved.'

Tragedy: The two teenagers died after being hit by a train just outside Elstree and Borehamwood station last night
Tragedy: The two teenagers died after being hit by a train just outside Elstree and Borehamwood station last night
Tragedy: The double death happened at Elstree and Borehamwood station at around 9pm last night
Tragedy: The double death happened at Elstree and Borehamwood station at around 9pm last night
Roger Perkins, a spokesman for First Capital Connect, said: 'Two youths were hit by our St Albans to Sutton southbound service, 200 yards north of Elstree and Borehamwood station on the Thameslink route.
'There were no passengers on board the train but there were two drivers in the cab, both of whom are being offered our full care and support.
'The emergency services were on the scene investigating and, together with Network Rail, we have been doing everything we can to help.
'This was a shocking incident and our hearts go out to those involved. We have been giving our full support to our employees who were at the scene and will do all we can to help the emergency services in their investigation.' 
School pupils: The two teenagers, who were in Year 13 and Year 10, went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
School pupils: The two teenagers, who were in Year 13 and Year 10, went to Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Important notice: Message published on the Hertswood Academy website where both the teenagers went to school
Important notice: Message published on the Hertswood Academy website where both the teenagers went to school
Double death: Paramedics were called to the railway line close to this bridge last night but there was nothing they could do to help the teenagers
Double death: Paramedics were called to the railway line close to this bridge last night but there was nothing they could do to help the teenagers
Peter Gillett, Headteacher of Hertswood Academy, said: 'At the start of the school day today we were contacted by British Transport Police to inform us of an incident that had occurred overnight involving two of our students.
'As a close community, obviously we are devastated by this tragedy. Both students were talented, hard working and well respected members of our academy.  
'Our thoughts are with their families at this most difficult time. We are supporting our students and staff in coping with this terrible loss.'
The station had reopened this morning and trains were running as normal.

DAILYMAIL

No comments: