Tragic teenager killed on railway in Wakefield

A coroner urged parents to warn children of the dangers of trespassing on railways after hearing a 16-year-old Wakefield boy who climbed on a freight train died after being electrocuted.
Kyle BradleyKyle Bradley
Kyle Bradley

An inquest at Wakefield was told “lovable rogue” Kyle Bradley was stood on top of an open coal wagon at sidings off Fox Lane, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, when he put a hand in the air and touched overhead power lines.

Kyle, of Peacock Avenue, had got on to the railway with his cousin Cameron Tandy and friend Jacob Wharton on Saturday July 11 last year.

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Cameron Tandy told police he saw a “bright flash” before Kyle fell into the coal wagon.

Tributes left for Kyle.Tributes left for Kyle.
Tributes left for Kyle.

Cameron tried to resuscitate Kyle while Jacob Wharton ran to fetch Kyle’s sister Kayleigh Bradley, who climbed in the wagon and joined in attempts to revive her brother.

Paramedics arrived and Kyle was taken to Pinderfields Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post mortem revealed the cause of death was electrocution.

The inquest heard toxicology tests revealed Kyle was the equivalent of around one-and-a-half-times over the legal drink drive limit.

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Kyle had just left Cathedral School and was due to start studying construction at Wakefield College.

Tributes left for Kyle.Tributes left for Kyle.
Tributes left for Kyle.

Cathedral School headteacher Tamar Warren said in a statement read to the court: “The best way to describe Kyle was as a loveble rogue. He will be missed by a lot of people.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff said: “I think the lesson here for everybody is that it is extremely dangerous for all sorts of reasons to go anywhere near railway lines and people should not do that and to treat things like rails and overhead power lines with the greatest respect and go nowhere near them.”

Mr Hinchliff added: “The publicity Kyle’s case will produce might just mean that parents can advise their children in the hope that people take this as an example and not to do something so silly themselves.”

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Friends of Kyle will hold a vigil and balloon release for Kyle this evening at Wakefield’s Thornes Park, at 6.30pm.

Messages have also been left in memory of Kyle on our Facebook page. Alyx Humphreys wrote: “RIP Kyle, I’m gonna miss you loads and I love you, and our chats, you were the funniest and craziest kid I had ever known.” Chloe Louise Baldwin posted: “Sleep tight handsome heaven have gained another angel.”

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