Rail-crossing death stirs families' grief

The death of an Auckland boy at the Papatoetoe train station has brought back painful memories and frustration for families who have lost children at rail crossings.

Jeremiah Tito, 11, died in hospital after he was struck by a southbound train on Tuesday evening.

His death happened exactly two years to the day that 5-year-old Zyon Batten was killed by a train at Takanini.

His father, Stephen Batten, said the latest fatality had upset his family again.

Zyon was struck by a northbound train as he waited for a southbound train to pass.

Mr Batten is angry that not enough has been done to make train crossings safe for children.

He supports a campaign by Cathy Turner of Wellington for electronic gates.

Her 15-year-old son Michael was killed by a train while walking to school in Hutt Valley in 2003.

Mrs Turner successfully lobbied for trial automatic gates to be installed at the Silverstream crossing where Michael walked in front of a train while staring at the ground, preparing himself for an exam.

The gates were put in last August at a cost of $110,000.

"I'd like to see it done everywhere. Simple as that," Mr Batten said.

Local councils have responsibility for safety at pedestrian crossings.

A spokesman for state-owned railway Ontrack this week said there were no plans to install barriers at the Papatoetoe station but the company, which manages rail infrastructure, would look at the outcome of investigations into Jeremiah's death.

The gates at Silverstream were trialled with "some success" and the trial was still being evaluated, the spokesman said.

Mrs Turner said similar gates could have saved Jeremiah's life and she questions why they cannot be installed at all crossings to prevent another tragedy.

An investigation is under way to find out how Jeremy was hit by a train near a pedestrian crossing.

Train operator Veolia said lights and bells at the crossing were operating at the time.

Jeremiah's mother, Helena Tito, visited the station on Thursday and said she had no immediate concerns about safety at the crossing.

His death was an error of judgment, she said.