Updated: 16-year-old boy dies after being struck by train in Rayleigh

11:30am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Emma Thomas

Ryan French Ryan French

A 16-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a train.

Ryan French, from Rayleigh, was hit between Rayleigh and Hockley railway stations.

Paramedics attended but the former Sweyne Park School pupil was pronounced dead at the scene.

The family were too distraught to speak but in a statement issued through British Transport Police, they said: “The French family would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support following Ryan’s tragic death.


“As you can appreciate, this was devastating news for us and although the family is grateful for all the kind messages of sympathy, we would ask that we can be left to grieve in private at this very difficult and sad time.”


Andy Hodgkinson, his former headteacher, paid tribute to the popular, bubbly youngster and said the news of his death had shaken the school.


He said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic news."
A BTP spokesman said: “The incident is being treated as non-suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Trains were stopped for an hour while investigations were carried out.
 

Leave your twitter tributes to Ryan by using #ryanfrench

SPECIAL REPORT AND TRIBUTES IN FRIDAY'S ECHO

 

 

Leave your Twitter tributes using #ryanfrench

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Comments(21)

freecomment says...
12:45pm Thu 20 Sep 12

How very sad, not news we like to hear. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

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Khloe123 says...
1:43pm Thu 20 Sep 12

R.I.P Ryan, everyone will miss you so much! Glad our last memories together were fun.. Many condolences to your family! X

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FraggleSue says...
3:13pm Thu 20 Sep 12

An absolute tragedy and a huge loss of one so young. Sincerest condolences to his family and all his friends - there are a lot of heartbroken people!
I hope he has found peace at last :-(
R.I.P xx

p.s Please, out of respect for Ryan's family and friends who may read these messages, I beg that people show respect and not make thoughtless and ill-placed comments.
There are a lot of grieving people who have more than enough to cope with, with their loss, as you may well understand.
Some empathy at a time like this would be welcome and befitting, and a time for reflection for many others x

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happy75 says...
3:13pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Such a dreadfully sad story. My thoughts go out to Ryan's family and friends. I would also urge anyone who is depressed or very upset to please talk to someone.

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Lily97 says...
4:07pm Thu 20 Sep 12

R.I.P Ryan, Regards to his family x x x

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eg9166112 says...
4:25pm Thu 20 Sep 12

sincerest condolences to his family, so so sad to see such a young life end, R.I.P. Ryan and let the angels do there work now ****

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Rich;Carol says...
4:47pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Just made me cry reading it. God bless the parents. SO SAD

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JHMP96 says...
5:00pm Thu 20 Sep 12

I had the pleasure to know Ryan in primary school, and became friends with him, it was a shock to hear that someone so young had passed like this I know he will be missed by many. Thoughts are with his family and friends R.I.P mate

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APR says...
5:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Terrible thing to happen.

By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.

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APR says...
5:25pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Also a terrible thing for the train driver.

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APR says...
5:42pm Thu 20 Sep 12

A terrible thing to happen. Both for Ryan and the unfortunate train driver

Although, by just stating that the incident took place between Rayleigh and Hockley, speculation is invited.

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Billericaygirl says...
6:38pm Thu 20 Sep 12

This made me so sad. Things that seem hugely important when you're 16, you realise years later weren't important at all. So sad that you don't have that kind of perspective at the time. RIP Ryan and many sympathies to his family and friends

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Aysha91 says...
9:06pm Thu 20 Sep 12

my mum worked at this school until v rcently, shes in tears. so so sad u poor boy and his poor family my god :( cant even begin to imagine how they're feelingx

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Shiwar says...
10:22pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Such a tragic story...my heartfelt thoughts go to Ryan's family and friends.

There is help if needed..

08457 90 90 90

http://www.samaritan
s.org

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Trainman says...
11:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12

My heart goes out to the train driver first, as I worked on the railway and lost a Great colleague after the demise of two people and for whatever reason.

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Rich;Carol says...
9:14am Fri 21 Sep 12

There was some posts that had beautiful words and tributes about this tragic accident and the Echo have removed many of them, how inconsiderate that people have took the time to post their sincere words and now they have been removed. God bless the family of Ryan.

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ducky18 says...
2:23pm Fri 21 Sep 12

Very sad news, condolences to the family. RIP Ryan. x

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Horace Wimpole says...
8:12am Sun 23 Sep 12

APR wrote:
Terrible thing to happen.

By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.
Not really.

Condolences to the French family, how very sad.

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maywood says...
7:24pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Horace Wimpole wrote:
APR wrote: Terrible thing to happen. By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.
Not really. Condolences to the French family, how very sad.
Terrible. RIP Ryan.
We have our Granddaughter with us who is still very upset and knew him.and has told me the circumstances.

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APR says...
9:41pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Horace Wimpole wrote:
APR wrote:
Terrible thing to happen.

By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.
Not really.

Condolences to the French family, how very sad.
Oh I think it does.

The Echo will publish half of a story, which leads people to speculate to fill in the blanks.
This then attracts the wrath of people who say you shouldn't speculate and should be respectful.

It happens all the time on here unfortunately, and why some stories don't allow comments to be posted.

Although to be honest, if I had lost someone dear to me, this is the last place I would visit.

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APR says...
8:30am Fri 28 Sep 12

It's a shame that someone thought my above comment was somehow disrespectful.
This is a thread for comments on the news story, not an obituary thread. In that sense I stand by what I said.

It goes without saying (or I hoped it did) that this was a tragic event, and everyone feels for the family.

For speculation on what happened, this was covered on BBC Look East.

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