Inquiry into teenager train death

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An investigation is under way after a teenage girl was killed after she was hit by a train near Wrexham.

The accident happened just before 1900 GMT on Monday as the train was passing through Johnstown, two miles south of Wrexham.

Passengers said the train had just left Wrexham and the driver braked sharply in an attempt to avoid the girl.

British Transport Police have released no more details but said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

A force spokesman said: "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage female on the line near Ruabon railway station.

"The female was hit by a train at about 7pm. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. It is believed that no-one on the train was injured.

Police examinations

"The train was an Arriva train service from Holyhead to Cardiff. We will not be releasing any further details until the deceased's next of kin have been advised."

The 35 passengers were delayed for around three hours while police examinations of the scene took place. The train was then moved to the nearest station at Ruabon and they continued their journey south by coach.

The victim was hit by the 1635 Holyhead to Cardiff service at about 1900 GMT on Monday evening. It is believed that none of the 35 passengers were injured.

The line was closed while the emergency services dealt with the incident.

Welsh Assembly Government Culture Minister Alun Pugh was on the train, which had just left Wrexham.

The train had just left Wrexham

He said: "The train braked very sharply shortly after leaving Wrexham and the train came to a complete halt.

"We were told the train has struck a child.

"Understandably there is a very sombre atmosphere on the train," added Mr Pugh.

"Our thoughts go out to the family - its obviously a desperate tragedy for the family.

Conwy AM Denise Idris Jones who was another passenger described the incident t as "grim".

She said:"Obviously there were 35 of us on train and we were absolutely shocked."

British Transport Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 0800 405040