Teen's rail crossing death was accidental - coroner

The death of a teenager who was struck and killed by a train on a pedestrian railway crossing was an accident, a coroner has concluded.

Harry Basham, 17, was hit by the train in Taunton, Somerset, as he walked to work at about 07:00 BST on 24 October 2025.

Somerset senior coroner Samantha Marsh said there was no evidence he "intended to harm himself" but accepted why he was on the track remained "unanswered".

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with Harry's family and friends and the local community following the tragic accident at the 5/13 railway crossing. We will continue our engagement with local authorities, stakeholders and the community on the future of the crossing."

The coroner's court heard the crossing had no lighting or CCTV and more than 200 trains a day passed through the "busy section".

Evidence from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found the site was compliant with safety standards.

The sight lines were described as "just" meeting minimum requirements, by the family's representative in court.

Previously, Harry's mum, Leanne Golding, told the BBC she wanted to see urgent changes at the site saying "lighting needs to be in place, a traffic light system and gates that lock".

A petition set up by a family friend calling for safety improvements at the crossing has close to 4,000 signatures.

Giving evidence and representing British Transport Police (BTP), Det Con Stephen Gadd told the inquest there were "no suspicious circumstances" related to Harry's death.

"In my view, this has been a tragic accident," he added.

Gadd said it was "reasonable to suggest" Basham may have been holding his phone, but there was "no tangible evidence" he was actually wearing earbuds and listening to music at the time.

The inquest heard Harry had left his home for work at about 06:35 BST on 24 October 2025 and walked towards the foot crossing he had used regularly for about seven months.

Submitted evidence was heard from Crosscountry train driver Chloe Chapman that visibility was limited in dark conditions, and she was only able to see about 10m (about 33ft) ahead.

She said she spotted Harry moments before the collision at 06:54 BST, standing still with his back to the train.

Despite sounding the horn and applying the emergency brake, the coroner said there was "nothing more" Chapman "could have done" to prevent a collision.

The inquest heard there was no clear evidence Harry was wearing earbuds at the time of his death, although items believed to be his were found nearby.

The coroner added that evidence heard from the police about CCTV and doorbell footage was "inconclusive" in seeing if he was wearing earbuds or not.

She summed up, concluding Harry's death was "accidental" and there was no evidence of "foul play" or a "suspicious" death.

Marsh said it was clear Harry had "touched many lives", noting the number of friends who attended the inquest.

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