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

Echo has no responsibility or control over the content on external blogging sites, but you can contact us if you have a complaint.

Comments (21)

12:45pm Thu 20 Sep 12

freecomment says...

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

1:43pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Khloe123 says...

R.I.P Ryan, everyone will miss you so much! Glad our last memories together were fun.. Many condolences to your family! X
R.I.P Ryan, everyone will miss you so much! Glad our last memories together were fun.. Many condolences to your family! X Khloe123

3:13pm Thu 20 Sep 12

FraggleSue says...

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
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 FraggleSue

3:13pm Thu 20 Sep 12

happy75 says...

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.
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. happy75

4:07pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Lily97 says...

R.I.P Ryan, Regards to his family x x x
R.I.P Ryan, Regards to his family x x x Lily97

4:25pm Thu 20 Sep 12

eg9166112 says...

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 ****
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 **** eg9166112

4:47pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Rich;Carol says...

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

5:00pm Thu 20 Sep 12

JHMP96 says...

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
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 JHMP96

5:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12

APR says...

Terrible thing to happen.

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

5:25pm Thu 20 Sep 12

APR says...

Also a terrible thing for the train driver.
Also a terrible thing for the train driver. APR

5:42pm Thu 20 Sep 12

APR says...

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.
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. APR

6:38pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Billericaygirl says...

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
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 Billericaygirl

9:06pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Aysha91 says...

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
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 Aysha91

10:22pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Shiwar says...

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
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 Shiwar

11:24pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Trainman says...

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.
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. Trainman

9:14am Fri 21 Sep 12

Rich;Carol says...

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.
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. Rich;Carol

2:23pm Fri 21 Sep 12

ducky18 says...

Very sad news, condolences to the family. RIP Ryan. x
Very sad news, condolences to the family. RIP Ryan. x ducky18

8:12am Sun 23 Sep 12

Horace Wimpole says...

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.
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: Terrible thing to happen. By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.[/p][/quote]Not really. Condolences to the French family, how very sad. Horace Wimpole

7:24pm Mon 24 Sep 12

maywood says...

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

9:41pm Mon 24 Sep 12

APR says...

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.
[quote][p][bold]Horace Wimpole[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: Terrible thing to happen. By stating that the incident happened "between" Rayleigh and Hockley, the Echo is inviting speculation as to what happened.[/p][/quote]Not really. Condolences to the French family, how very sad.[/p][/quote]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. APR

8:30am Fri 28 Sep 12

APR says...

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.
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. APR

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree